Former NATO Chief Warns UK National Security 'In Peril' Over Defence Underfunding
Lord George Robertson, the former NATO Secretary General and UK Defence Secretary, has issued a stark warning that Britain's national security is "in peril" due to what he describes as "corrosive complacency" from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government on defence spending.
In a major intervention published on Tuesday, Robertson — who served as NATO chief from 1999 to 2003 — accused the government of leaving the country "underprepared, underinsured, and under attack" at one of the most dangerous moments in decades. His remarks come as the UK grapples with the fallout from the ongoing US-Iran conflict and growing pressure on European nations to bolster their own defences.
Key Criticisms
Robertson singled out the Treasury for what he called "vandalism" in prioritising welfare spending over military investment, noting that Chancellor Rachel Reeves devoted "a mere 40 words on defence in over an hour" in her last budget speech and "none" in the spring statement. He also pointed to the government's repeated delays in publishing a 10-year defence investment plan, which he said signals a significant funding gap of around £28 billion over four years.
As a concrete example of Britain's diminished military capacity, Robertson highlighted the UK's inability to deploy more than one Royal Navy warship to the Mediterranean within the first fortnight of the Iran conflict — a stark illustration, he argued, of how far the country's armed forces have been allowed to deteriorate.
"Britain's national security and safety is in peril. Governments do not lose because polls go down — they lose when they lose belief or nerve." — Lord George Robertson, former NATO Secretary General
A 'Deadly Quartet' of Threats
Robertson warned of a "deadly quartet" of threats facing the UK from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, noting that these nations are already conducting sabotage campaigns and cyberattacks on British soil. He called for a national conversation about defence to ensure the public understands the true scale of the risks.
General Sir Richard Barrons, a co-author of the Strategic Defence Review, echoed Robertson's concerns, warning that "the US cavalry is not coming to bail us out now" and that European NATO members must dramatically increase their own capabilities.
Government Response
A government spokesperson pushed back, stating that ministers are "delivering on the strategic defence review" backed by "the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, with a total of over £270bn being invested across this parliament." Defence Minister Luke Pollard acknowledged the scale of the challenge, describing it as a "bigger task than many people outside defence realise."
Why It Matters
Robertson's intervention lands at a critical moment. With the Iran war driving oil prices above $100 a barrel and straining NATO alliances, the question of whether Britain is adequately prepared for modern conflict has moved from think-tank debate to urgent political reality. Prime Minister Starmer has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament — but critics argue the pace of change is dangerously slow.
Read the full Guardian report: Starmer accused of 'corrosive complacency' on defence by ex-NATO chief.
