UK must consider food and climate part of national security, say top ex-military figures

Former military leaders say measures to protect communities from flooding should be among those included in the definition of national security. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Former military leaders are urging the UK government to widen its definition of national security to include climate, food and energy measures in advance of a planned multibillion-pound boost in defence spending.

Earlier this year Keir Starmer announced the biggest increase in defence spending in the UK since the end of the cold war, with the budget rising to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – and an ambition to reach 3%.