North Devon MP Ian Roome is calling for urgent investment in UK defence
Britain is under growing pressure to boost its armed forces and lessen its reliance on the United States amid warnings it may be falling short of NATO commitments, a new report has warned.
The Defence Committee, which includes North Devon MP Ian Roome, said the UK must urgently strengthen both its conventional and nuclear military capabilities to ensure it can defend the nation and its Overseas Territories without external help.
The report, published this week, raised concerns the UK is not fully meeting NATO’s Article 3 obligation to “maintain and develop individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack”.
While the UK remains one of Europe’s foremost military powers, the committee said that continued leadership was at risk due to a lack of critical investment and over-dependence on Washington.
The group criticised slow and opaque decision-making, highlighting delays to the Home Defence Programme — which remains unfinished a year after its original deadline — despite Government statements about growing global threats.
It also reiterated calls for a clear public timetable to complete the Home Defence Programme and renewed demands for a dedicated Minister for Homeland Security. The role would oversee home defence, resilience, and public engagement.
Proposals for regular briefings on cyber-attacks and sabotage were also welcomed, although the committee questioned why such ideas had not yet been meaningfully progressed.
North Devon’s MP Ian Roome said the UK could no longer “bury our heads in the sand”.
“We must not bank on protection from the US and under-invest in our own defence,” Ian said.
“The report we published this week calls on the UK to lead the European response to Russian aggression and do all in its power to hold the NATO Alliance together.
“Russia’s war on Ukraine, constant disinformation and probing of European airspace are a reminder that our security cannot be taken for granted.
“For North Devon and the wider South West, we can’t dismiss this as unimportant. Our area is home to key defence, engineering and manufacturing jobs that support the Royal Navy and our Armed Forces – so we will play a big part in any efforts to step up and improve our capability.
“The Government needs a clear plan for where the UK could step in if American capabilities are scaled back. That means backing British industry, speeding up procurement and being straight with the public about the threats we face. It’s not about scaring people, but being honest and prepared”.
The full Defence Committee report can be read at: The UK contribution to European Security.
