Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 73323

Defence: Expenditure

Tabled: 29 August 2025
Answered: 8 September 2025

Question

Charlie Dewhirst

Conservative — Bridlington and The Wolds

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the payment of armed forces pensions counts towards the 5% NATO defence spending target.

Answer

Al Carns
In line with the current NATO definition, spend on armed forces pensions is already included as part of core defence spending. This will continue to be the case against the 5% defence spending target.