The Pentagon has issued a stark warning that Britain’s allies are “duty-bound” to increase their defence spending, as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the United Kingdom for its commitment to Nato. The statement comes amid mounting pressure on European nations to meet the alliance’s target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence, a goal that several countries, including Germany and Italy, have yet to achieve.
Speaking after a meeting with UK Defence Secretary John Healey in London, Hegseth said Britain’s decision to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 was “a model for others to follow.” He added: “The UK has shown leadership at a critical time. Now every ally must carry their fair share. This is not optional. It is a duty.”
Hegseth’s remarks were echoed by Pentagon officials who warned that the security landscape in Europe was “more volatile than at any point in the last 30 years.” They pointed to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the rise of Chinese military power, and the threat of terrorism as reasons why greater burden-sharing was essential.
But while the rhetoric in Whitehall and Washington remains firm on the need for higher defence spending, the reality on the ground is more complicated. For many working-class families across the North of England, the cost of living crisis has made the idea of increased military budgets a bitter pill to swallow. In towns like Barnsley, Sunderland, and Blackburn, where food banks are busier than ever and energy bills remain stubbornly high, the question of who pays for this spending is never far from the surface.
“I understand we need to defend ourselves, but when the government talks about billions for defence, I think about the school cuts in our area, the potholes that never get fixed, and the NHS waiting lists that keep getting longer,” said Margaret O’Brien, a care worker from Rochdale. “It feels like we’re always being asked to tighten our belts for something that doesn’t put food on the table.”
Union leaders have also expressed concern that the drive to boost defence spending could come at the expense of public services. Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, warned that “working people cannot be forced to pick up the tab for a new arms race while their wages stagnate and their communities are left behind.”
The TUC has called for a “fairer approach” to defence funding, one that includes a windfall tax on arms manufacturers and a commitment to invest in green technology as part of the security agenda. “There is no point in defending a country if the people inside it are struggling to survive,” said TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak.
But for now, the political momentum remains behind the push for higher spending. The UK government has already announced a £4.5 billion increase in defence spending over the next two years, with more expected when the next spending review is published. Business groups have welcomed the news, arguing that defence investment will create jobs and boost the economy, particularly in the shipbuilding and aerospace sectors.
Still, the regional divide is stark. While defence spending is concentrated in places like Barrow-in-Furness and the south coast, the Midlands and the North, where manufacturing has declined, are less likely to see the direct benefit. “The government needs to ensure that this spending doesn’t just go to a few areas but is used to level up the entire country,” said a spokesperson for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.
As Hegseth flies back to Washington, the message to allies is clear: pay up or risk losing American protection. But for many in the North of England, that message comes with a heavy price tag, one they cannot afford to ignore.
