Sunak rejects calls for defence spending to increase to 3% of GDP

The PM is visiting California for talks with US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak boards a plane at Stansted Airport (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak has rejected pleas to increase defence spending to 3% of the size of the economy despite acknowledging the growing challenges posed by China and Russia.

The Prime Minister said an updated foreign and security policy would show the UK is “ready to stand our ground” and “ensure we are never vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power”.

He promised a further £5 billion for defence over this year and next, although significant sums will be swallowed up by replenishing ammunition stockpiles handed to Ukraine and work on the Aukus project to develop nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.