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UKIP backing 2% defence spending target UKIP backing 2% defence spending target
(about 1 hour later)
UKIP will commit to spending 2% of the UK's GDP on defence if it plays a role in government after the election.UKIP will commit to spending 2% of the UK's GDP on defence if it plays a role in government after the election.
Economic spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said the guarantee could be "comfortably met" by reducing the foreign aid budget, scrapping the HS2 rail link and reducing public funding for Scotland.Economic spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said the guarantee could be "comfortably met" by reducing the foreign aid budget, scrapping the HS2 rail link and reducing public funding for Scotland.
Both the Conservatives and Labour have refused to say they will ensure defence spending does not dip below 2% of GDP.Both the Conservatives and Labour have refused to say they will ensure defence spending does not dip below 2% of GDP.
Mr O'Flynn said David Cameron's position was "pretty dishonourable".Mr O'Flynn said David Cameron's position was "pretty dishonourable".
UKIP has accused the prime minister of "lecturing" other Nato members about meeting the alliance's 2% target while not being willing to commit to it himself.UKIP has accused the prime minister of "lecturing" other Nato members about meeting the alliance's 2% target while not being willing to commit to it himself.
The prime minister has come under intense pressure from some within his own party and an array of senior military figures who say the pledge is crucial to maintaining the country's defence capability.The prime minister has come under intense pressure from some within his own party and an array of senior military figures who say the pledge is crucial to maintaining the country's defence capability.
Chancellor George Osborne has promised to protect spending on equipment but not the overall budget.
'Key duty''Key duty'
The US government has also made no secret of its fears if Britain were to continue with significant cuts to defence spending. Chancellor George Osborne has promised to protect spending on equipment but not the overall budget.
The US government has made no secret of its disapproval if Britain continues to make significant cuts to defence spending.
UKIP will confirm its defence spending pledge at a campaign event in Greater Manchester later where it will lay out its economic policies.UKIP will confirm its defence spending pledge at a campaign event in Greater Manchester later where it will lay out its economic policies.
Mr O'Flynn told BBC Radio 4's Today UKIP would spend £3bn a year more on defence than the Conservatives during the next Parliament, equivalent to about £16bn over five years. Mr O'Flynn told BBC Radio 4's Today that UKIP would spend £3bn a year more on defence than the Conservatives during the next Parliament, equivalent to about £16bn over five years.
"We think that defence of the realm is an absolutely key duty of government," he said."We think that defence of the realm is an absolutely key duty of government," he said.
'Foreign wars'
UKIP, he said, would be the only party at the election committed to reducing the foreign aid budget and reinvesting money in defence.UKIP, he said, would be the only party at the election committed to reducing the foreign aid budget and reinvesting money in defence.
"There are three parties in this election who want to spend more and more on foreign aid giveaway and less and less on defence. We are going to say there will be at least one party which will properly fund defence."
He added: "We have had David Cameron lecturing other Nato members about the need to spend 2% of GDP on defence. To preside over a plan not to meet that himself is pretty dishonourable."
Mr O'Flynn said UKIP - which has questioned British policy in the Middle East and Ukraine - was a strong believer in the collective security provided by Nato but would remain "sceptical of being dragged into foreign wars".Mr O'Flynn said UKIP - which has questioned British policy in the Middle East and Ukraine - was a strong believer in the collective security provided by Nato but would remain "sceptical of being dragged into foreign wars".
UKIP will set out its tax and spending plans later, with the party focusing on helping what it says are Britons "struggling" at the lowest end of the income scale.UKIP will set out its tax and spending plans later, with the party focusing on helping what it says are Britons "struggling" at the lowest end of the income scale.