# Burnham caught between NATO and the left on defence spending > UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces pressure from NATO and unions to boost military spending, but the hard left wants that money for climate and social programmes instead. - Title: Burnham caught between NATO and the left on defence spending - Summary: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces pressure from NATO and unions to boost military spending, but the hard left wants that money for climate and social… - Keywords: andy burnham, nato, defence spending, uk military, labour party, mark rutte, sharon graham, unite union, university and college union, wes streeting, john healey, russia - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16135337/Nato-boss-heaps-pressure-Burnham-defence-spending.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-16T08:16:41+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: andy burnham, nato, defence spending, uk military, labour party, mark rutte, sharon graham, unite union, university and college union, wes streeting, john healey, russia ## Burnham faces NATO pressure on defence NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to publicly push UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to increase defence spending during a speech at Oxford's Ditchley Foundation tonight. ## Rutte praises UK but hints at more needed Rutte will describe the UK as serious about security while welcoming Burnham's assurance on NATO commitments, but his remarks suggest the government needs to go further on military investment. > The UK is already investing more in defence. And I welcome the new Prime Minister's assurance that his government will meet its Nato commitments. ## UK defence spending targets explained UK defence spending is expected to reach 2.7 percent of GDP by 2027, but Burnham has raised concerns it won't hit an interim target of 3 percent by 2030. NATO allies have agreed to reach 5 percent by 2035. ## Burnham refuses welfare cuts for defence Last week Burnham sparked controversy by refusing to cut the UK welfare bill to fund defence spending, saying national security cannot come at the expense of social security. > National security cannot come at the expense of social security. ## Rutte meets Burnham face to face The NATO secretary general met Burnham for the first time to discuss defence issues in Oxford, wishing him good luck in the job as he navigates these competing pressures. ## Unite union backs defence spending Labour's union paymasters are pushing Burnham to boost defence spending to create jobs. Unite boss Sharon Graham says the UK has neglected defence for years and it should be part of reindustrialising Britain. > The UK had been running our hand across our mouth in defence for ages. ## Graham warns of defence industry exodus Sharon Graham told Politico that defence employers and workers are making decisions now about whether to stay in Britain, suggesting investment is needed to keep the industry in the UK. > I'm in conversations with members and employers in defense, and these people are making decisions now about whether they stay in Britain. ## Left wing unions demand climate spending The University and College Union used the TUC conference to pass a motion demanding the cash should fight climate change and renationalise utilities instead of boosting defence. ## UCU launches wages not weapons campaign UCU General Secretary Jo Grady attacked the US and Israel's actions, saying a global arms race doesn't make people safer and defence spending diverts money from schools, housing, and the NHS. > Our lives don't feel more secure because BAE systems is getting another multi-billion-pound contract. ## Grady's full argument against weapons Grady argued that every pound spent on bombs doesn't help homeless people, build schools, feed hungry children, or fix the NHS and crumbling transport infrastructure. > Every pound spent on bombs doesn't get homeless people off the streets, it doesn't build a new school, it doesn't feed a hungry child. ## Defence Secretary Streeting hits back Defence Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the UCU motion, saying he has seen the consequences of war in Ukraine and it is vital to strengthen deterrence to prevent conflict. > I've seen first hand in Ukraine the consequences of war and it is vital we strengthen our deterrence to prevent another. ## Streeting defends reindustrialisation plan Streeting said the government is reindustrialising Britain while boosting defence, buying British and delivering jobs, skills, and apprenticeships across the country. ## Streeting's red flag warning Streeting declared that while he is happy to sing the Labour anthem Red Flag, this Labour government will not wave the white flag on defence. > I'm happy to sing the Red Flag, but this Labour government won't wave the white flag. ## NATO allies agree on spending targets NATO allies have agreed to hike defence spending to 5 percent of economic output by 2035 amid threats from Russia and China, and pressure from Donald Trump's America for European investment. ## Rutte on Russia and Ukraine Rutte will use his speech to say the UK is leading the pushback against Russia's dangerous campaign, and that NATO will strengthen its ability to deter threats against all allies. ## Rutte on NATO three point zero Rutte will describe a changing NATO where Europe and Canada spend more, produce more, and do more for their security, calling this NATO three point zero and building for a stronger Europe. > To stay transatlantic, Nato is becoming more European. ## Healey quit over three percent target Chancellor John Healey quit as defence secretary in June over Keir Starmer's refusal to commit to the 3 percent target, saying it was the minimum needed to keep Britain safe. ## Burnham's balancing act ahead Burnham must balance NATO and union demands for defence spending against pressure from the hard left to redirect funds to climate, welfare, and public services. ## Key takeaway Burnham must navigate competing demands: NATO allies expect higher defence spending, unions want jobs from military investment, but the left wing of Labour wants to redirect funds to climate and welfare.