Promoting our national interests
Our plans to protect our country, invest in security and support our veterans
A better future rests on our security – and how we promote and protect our interests on the global stage for the long term.
We will continue to invest in our Armed Forces – the finest in the world – ensuring that they have what they need to protect our country and keep people safe, while also supporting our fantastic veterans.
We will continue to work with our international partners on the most pressing crises – supporting Ukraine to prevail against Putin’s war of aggression, supporting Israel’s right to self-defence after Hamas’s horrific act of terror, delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and working to revive the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East.
We recognise that we live in a more dangerous world – and that we must shape our response accordingly. That’s why I set out a far-sighted plan earlier this year with the refresh of the Integrated Review of foreign and security policy.
Investing in security
In the 21st century I believe we must look beyond the traditional concept of national security to keep our people safe and protect our interests.
We must also be robust in protecting our economic security, our energy security, the openness of the trade routes we need, our strong alliances, and our ability to anticipate new threats. We’re investing in all of these areas.
We’re going beyond our baseline commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence with a new ambition of 2.5%. If anyone thinks we are no longer able to wield hard power in defence of our values, just ask the Ukrainian soldiers driving British tanks or training with our troops.
Working with international partners
We are strengthening our role as a leading NATO ally, and building up our defence-industrial base, together with our closest allies. With Japan and Italy, we’re building the next generation of combat air fighter jets.
And through our AUKUS partnership with the US and Australia we’re developing one of the most advanced nuclear-powered subs the world has ever known.
We’re securing our supply chains by doing trade deals around the world, creating new partnerships on semiconductors with the likes of Japan, and negotiating a new critical minerals agreement with the US.
Earlier this year, we agreed the historic Windsor Framework with the EU, restoring the smooth flow of trade within the UK internal market, safeguarding Northern Ireland’s place in the Union, and tackling the democratic deficit that was at the heart of the original Northern Ireland Protocol.
With measures like the National Security and Investment Act we are blocking acquisitions which could harm our security and safeguarding critical infrastructure – including energy.
Tackling people smuggling gangs
We are tackling global drivers of instability. We’re taking action at home and abroad to stop the boats and break the business model of the people smugglers.
This is a top priority of the British people. That’s why we will deliver on our Illegal Migration Act to ensure that if you come here illegally, you will be swiftly detained and removed to your home country or a safe third country, such as Rwanda.
And it is why I have put illegal migration on the agenda at every international meeting from the G7 to the Council of Europe. These steps will make sure that it is the democratically elected government of this country who decides who comes here, not the criminal gangs.
We’ve heard the concerns of the poorest countries, so we’re working to boost food security by helping Ukraine to open up routes to export their grain to those who need it most and leading the charge to improve development finance with fundamental reforms of the World Bank.
While we deliver our Net Zero targets at home, we’re also leading the global effort to tackle climate change – including committing over £1.6 billion for the Green Climate Fund – the biggest single international climate pledge the UK has ever made.
Harnessing the power of AI
We’re leading efforts to safely harness the power of AI for the long term. AI will bring new knowledge, new opportunities for economic growth, new advances in human capability, and the chance to solve problems we once thought beyond us. But it also brings new dangers and new fears.
So, we’re taking the right long term decisions to address those fears head on, giving people the peace of mind that we will keep them safe, while making sure you and your children have all the opportunities for a better future that AI can bring.
Our new AI Safety Institute will advance the world’s knowledge of AI safety and give the British people the most advanced protections for AI of any nation.
I believe Britain is the best country in the world. We are a global defence power, an economy built on innovation and openness, a leader and a partner in tackling global challenges, a frontier nation in the tech revolution and a robust, thriving democracy.
We should be proud of our role on the global stage – and what it delivers for us all at home. I will keep taking the long term decisions to build a stronger, safer country, and a more stable world.