Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the UK’s defence spending “gap” is a matter of concern for NATO, warning that shortfalls could affect alliance capabilities. His comments come amid an ongoing dispute in the UK over defence spending levels, including debate about whether current funding meets agreed expectations for military preparedness. The warning is linked to a wider political row involving defence policy and budgets, in which John Healey has stepped down from the role of defence secretary. Both outlets report Rasmussen’s intervention as part of the pressure surrounding how much the UK spends and the implications for NATO planning and cooperation. The discussion focuses on ensuring that member states’ resources align with alliance priorities, with Rasmussen presenting the spending shortfall as something NATO monitors. The reports do not attribute specific figures to Rasmussen, but frame his remarks as a caution from a senior former NATO official while the UK government faces internal disagreement over defence funding.