Campaigners Criticise UK Defence Plan Over Nuclear Spending Commitments

July 2, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The UK government’s new Defence Investment Plan has drawn criticism from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), which warned that increased military and nuclear spending could deepen financial pressures while raising the risk of further nuclear escalation.

The plan outlines an additional 15 billion pounds investment in defence, on top of the 60.2 billion pounds already allocated to the Ministry of Defence for the 2024/2025 financial year. Government defence spending is expected to rise to nearly 80 billion pounds annually by 2029.

A significant share of the investment is directed towards Britain’s nuclear capabilities, with at least 64 billion pounds expected to be spent on nuclear weapons programmes over the next four years, according to CND. The funding includes the Dreadnought submarine programme, development of the Astraea nuclear warhead and support for nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security partnership.

The plan also allocates 26 billion pounds over the next decade to upgrade nuclear facilities including the Faslane and Devonport bases. CND said the lifetime cost of maintaining Britain’s nuclear weapons programme could reach hundreds of billions of pounds.

The government’s decision to acquire 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets has also raised concerns among campaigners. The aircraft are expected to restore a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force within NATO and will be capable of carrying US B61-12 nuclear bombs.

Sophie Bolt, general secretary of CND, said the investment represented a major expansion of Britain’s nuclear posture and argued that the spending would reduce resources available for public services.

“This Defence Investment Plan is a blueprint for dragging Britain into a global war that could go nuclear,” Bolt said, adding that nuclear weapons spending would create long-term financial pressures.

CND said the government’s projected figures underestimate the full cost of the nuclear programme, citing previous delays, rising expenses and repeated changes to major projects. The organisation also highlighted that 5 billion pounds of spending included in the plan remains unfunded.

The group said increased defence spending comes as healthcare, education, local government and other public services face financial constraints. It called for greater investment in social services, climate action and diplomacy rather than further expansion of nuclear capabilities.

The government has defended the plan as part of efforts to strengthen national security amid growing international tensions and changing security threats.

Source: FSX Business News