Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey has confirmed that the government will not establish a firm deadline for increasing defense spending to 3% of GDP in the immediate budget. The Treasury announced that this commitment will instead be addressed during the next spending review, which is scheduled for next year.

This development is notable given Healey’s previous public stance on the matter. Prior to his current role, Healey had consistently advocated for a 2030 deadline to reach the 3% threshold. During his time as shadow defense secretary, he was critical of the government’s pace regarding defense resource allocation. The current delay suggests a change in fiscal prioritization as the Treasury balances competing budgetary demands. While the government maintains its commitment to the long-term goal, the lack of a specific date has drawn attention to the tension between national security ambitions and current economic constraints.