Senior British figures at NATO have delivered a stark warning to ministers as the Government continues to "dither" over defence spending. It comes amid fears that hesitation over funding and delays to rearmament could erode the UK's standing inside the alliance.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been told that without clarity on future spending commitments, Britain risks slipping down NATO rankings - both in terms of defence expenditure as a share of GDP and in meeting the capability targets agreed by member states. The concerns are understood to have been conveyed by Angus Lapsley, the UK's permanent representative to NATO; Nick Catsaras, a NATO assistant secretary-general; and Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the Royal Navy officer serving as NATO's outgoing Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

There is concern that continued delays could see the UK fall victim to an outburst of frustration from US President Donald Trump, who has consistently called out nations of the alliance deemed not to be pulling their weight.

In the event of an admonishment from the White House, sources believe that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte would follow suit, according to The Times.

Last June, ahead of a NATO summit, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, set out plans to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April next year, with a longer-term aim of reaching 3% before the end of the next Parliament.

Just weeks later in The Hague, Sir Keir joined leaders from 30 other NATO nations in backing a more ambitious goal - committing to meet Donald Trump's call for allies to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence by 2035.

Sources have told The Daily Express that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is keen to accelerate defence spending but is being stymied by officials in the Treasury.

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The reports come as the UK continues to "dither" on the release of its Defence Investment Plan (DIP), a multiyear blueprint for how much it plans to spend on defence and when, outlining funding priorities to deliver military capability over the coming decade.

The delay comes amid fears of senior defence figures that the proposals contained within it can only be achieved if a greater level of funding is ensured.

James MacCleary, defence spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has previously accused Labour of "dithering" and "negligence".

He said: "While ministers drag their feet on the DIP, British SMEs are being pushed to the brink and we are sleepwalking into even deeper dependence on the US for critical kit we should be building - and sustaining - at home.

"Delays are endangering vital sovereign capabilities like helicopter manufacturing in Yeovil which we could lose altogether if this squabbling between government departments continues."

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: "Labour's DIP is long overdue, having been promised for autumn 2025, and there is one overriding reason why - this is a Government that has prioritised welfare over defence of the realm."