New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to "honour our commitments to our international partners" regarding defence spending, a statement that echoes his predecessor's stance and offers no immediate increase in funding. This approach has drawn attention from allies, particularly the United States, which has called for more substantial and sustained investment.
Burnham's remarks come as the United Kingdom currently spends 2.6% of its GDP on defence, falling short of the NATO target of 3.5% by 2035. The strategy of "backloading" or delaying significant increases until later in the decade has been criticized by defence experts and former officials. Concerns have been raised about the accelerating operational tempo of Russia and rising costs, such as a near 90% increase in aviation fuel prices impacting the Royal Air Force.
These funding concerns were a significant factor in the resignations of former Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns. Former head of the Royal Navy, Lord West, emphasized the urgency of addressing defence spending as a top priority for the Burnham government. Similarly, former British Army commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon warned that delaying investment could be detrimental given the current threat posed by Russia and might not be forgiven by allies like the United States.
US Ambassador Warren Stephens, in remarks to The Times, stressed the need to "move beyond the rhetoric of partnership and make the sustained investments that transform alliances." He highlighted that while the US is proud to stand with partners like Britain and Australia, efforts should not be hindered by delayed investments. Stephens underscored the value of defence spending in ensuring citizen safety and security.
Despite the focus on funding, Burnham reaffirmed the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine. He stated he would be "there for" President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing continuity with the policies of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham noted his prior experience working with Ukrainian mayors in his capacity as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a network he plans to leverage in his new role. President Zelensky has congratulated Burnham on his appointment, expressing appreciation for the UK's support and readiness to collaborate.
The defence thinktank RUSI noted the challenging international context Prime Minister Burnham faces, with potential escalation from Russia posing a significant challenge in his first six months. The thinktank highlighted the Prime Minister's central role in coordinating UK, European, and US support for Ukraine.