Defence Investment Plan: Will the UK’s plan for defence help it hit Nato’s spending target?

The Prime Minister has frequently claimed that the government has spent £270bn on defense for this parliament, which he said is “the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the 1980s”.

This number represents the total cash expenditure figure for the Ministry of Defense budget set out in the 2025 Spending Review covering the four years to 2028-29.

Sir Keir said today the DIP had increased this by “a further £15bn”.

So this £15 billion figure represents an increase in defense spending over four years compared to previous plans.

Reports suggest the original DIP would have increased spending by £13.5bn over four years.

It shows the government has found an additional £1.5bn for defense in the four years since Healey resigned from Sir Keir’s cabinet.

Rachel Reeves he said in a statement, external Of the £15bn, £10.3bn has now been identified and “a further £4.7bn will be approved in the 2026 Budget over four years”.