PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Future defence spending (4 March 2024)

That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to require that a minimum of 3% of GDP be allocated to defence spending; recognises that defence spending is at a three-year high but should be protected to prevent economic downturns from impacting the defence budget adversely; believes that this budget increase must be directly linked to force readiness; notes that, at a time where the world is in turmoil due to the ambitions of Russia, Iran, Hamas and others, we need the strongest British military capability possible; accepts that weakness is provocative and makes aggressors more aggressive; further believes that we need a better-funded British Armed Forces to support our men and women in uniform and promote armed forces careers as careers of choice; further notes that the starting salary for service personnel, after training, will be £23,496 from April 2023, whereas the mean average salary for all workers in the UK is £33,402; also believes that this disparity needs redress, as does support for post-service life; recognises that the Government has taken laudable steps to support allies in the world and support veterans at home; understands that there is a historic temptation to undermine defence of the Realm in favour of domestic spending; and views the peace dividend as the height of short-term thinking.

Sponsored by:
Giles Watling (Conservative)