Overview

• A new national security report urges active preparation for the possibility of the UK coming under direct attack, citing Russia’s aggression in Europe as a primary concern.
• The government has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and to 5% by 2035, up from a £53.9 billion budget in 2023–24 plus a £2.2 billion pledge for 2025–26.
• The strategy highlights threats from state and non-state actors—including China, Houthi rebels and escalations between India-Pakistan and Iran-Israel—that could disrupt energy security and economic growth.
• Protecting critical infrastructure such as undersea cables, energy pipelines, transport hubs and cyber networks is deemed essential to national resilience.
• With the armed forces understaffed and nearly a third of personnel considering departure, experts like Professor Anthony Glees have proposed conscription, while cuts to foreign aid have drawn criticism from Labour’s Anneliese Dodds.