Lord George Robertson, former NATO secretary-general and Labour defence secretary, has accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of displaying 'corrosive complacency' over UK defence, warning that the nation's security is 'in peril'. In a lecture in Salisbury, Robertson criticised the government's delay in publishing a 10-year defence investment plan and accused Treasury officials of 'vandalism' for prioritising welfare spending over military funding. He also highlighted the UK's vulnerability to external threats, including recent Russian naval activity in the English Channel.
The government has defended its defence spending, citing ongoing work on the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and promising a 3% GDP defence spending target by the next parliament. However, Robertson argued that the current approach is insufficient, stating: 'We are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack. We are not safe.'
Meanwhile, a defence select committee meeting focused on women's rights in the military, drawing criticism from some quarters for diverting attention from defence priorities. Committee chairman Tan Dhesi (Lab, Slough) briefly addressed Robertson's remarks before shifting focus to gender equality initiatives. Defence minister Louise Jones acknowledged the importance of Robertson's concerns but emphasised progress on the SDR.
Robertson's intervention comes amid broader debates over UK defence spending, with the government facing pressure to address a £28bn funding gap over the next four years. Starmer has blamed previous Conservative governments for underinvestment but has yet to deliver on promised defence spending increases.