Land shortage leaves Nato defence targets at risk, Streeting warned
The UK risks falling short of Nato defence spending targets unless it immediately slashes planning red tape to address its land shortage, the government has been warned. Demand for defence-related industries and logistics space is set to surge to 32m sq ft by 2033 if the government meets Nato’s defence spending targets. The UK is [...]
The UK government has been cautioned that its defence targets may not be met due to a shortage of land, according to industry body Real Estate UK. If the government adheres to NATO's defence spending goals, demand for defence-related industries and logistics space is projected to grow to 32 million square feet by 2033. However, the UK is projected to fall short of 14 million square feet by the next general election in 2029 if no action is taken to secure this space, according to Real Estate UK.
The planning, infrastructure, and skills challenges faced by developers are seen as a significant risk to the government's overall defence objectives, according to Real Estate UK's chief executive, Vanessa Hale. The recently unveiled defence investment plan (DIP) is anticipated to boost activity among manufacturers and suppliers, with 2026 expected to be one of the strongest years for defence-related activity in the UK.
However, the UK is reportedly running out of room to fuel its defence ambitions, with Real Estate UK warning that the shortage of land, skills, and grid capacity must be addressed urgently. Defense secretary Wes Streeting defended his commitment to spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, stating that the government will invest in British companies and jobs to drive this expansion.
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