UK faces calls for 5% GDP defence spend, ahead of PM’s meeting with Nato chief

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has called for members of the alliance to spend 3.5% of GDP on their militaries, and a further 1.5% on wider defence (Leon Neal/PA) - (PA Wire)

The UK will be expected to spend 5% of its economic output on defence investment, the chief of Nato has said, ahead of a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer next week.

Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, said on Thursday he is proposing Nato members spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.