Britain may need to hike defence spending to four per cent of its economic output, warns ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock

Neil Kinnock has cautioned that Britain may have to increase defense spending to 4% of its GDP.

PMSir Keir Starmer’s 2.5% aim, according to the former Labour leader, is insufficient to dissuade Russia.

He informed the Prime Minister: Given the threat to our security, three to four percent is a reasonable goal.

When spending on the nuclear deterrent is taken out of the equation, defense spending, which presently accounts for 2.3% of domestic GDP, falls to just 1.6%.

In order to combat the dangers posed by North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia, the government is being pressured to drastically enhance this.

Donald Trump, the incoming US president, has threatened to leave NATO unless European nations begin to contribute.

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He has hinted that increases of up to 5% of GDP would be necessary to cover alliance spending deficits.

According to reports, other NATO members have also expressed concern over Britain’s lack of commitment to air defenses.

However, citing economic challenges and a defense review that is expected to be released later this year, ministers have so far declined to provide a timeline for when expenditure will increase.

Lord Kinnock told Times Radio that since our security is in jeopardy, we must cut back by three or four percent.

“I don’t think 2.5 percent of GDP will be enough given the size of the Russian offensive,” he continued, “not least because the kind of things we’ve got to spend on are not just conventional forces but very hi-tech challenges.”

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