Andy Burnham assured Nato chief Mark Rutte that the UK’s commitment to the alliance remains despite the change in prime minister.
The Nato secretary general wished Mr Burnham “good luck” in the job as the two met face-to-face for the first time to discuss defence issues.
Mr Burnham said: “There’s been a change of prime minister but never any change in the UK’s unwavering commitment to Nato and our Nato obligations.”
He highlighted the commitment made by British troops “serving in Nato missions around the world”.
Mr Burnham told Mr Rutte: “It’s critical for us always to show our firm commitment to Nato, and that’s what we will be doing today.”
Mr Rutte told him the UK “is one of the leading forces in Nato”.
The two met at RAL Space, a research facility in Didcot, Oxfordshire and Mr Rutte praised the UK as a scientific and technological leader within the alliance.
“What we see today is also when it comes to defence spending, that there is a societal dividend, jobs and economic growth.
“There are so many opportunities coming from it, but also it shows you that the United Kingdom has this huge advantage when it comes to your innovative technology, your sectors, your universities.
“Some of the issues we will discuss today, because we need more of that in Nato. You’re already really on the forefront.”
He told Mr Burnham: “Thank you for your leadership and taking on the role. And good luck.”
The Prime Minister faces political pressure to show how the UK will meet its Nato commitment of allocating 3.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – for core defence spending by 2035.
Chancellor John Healey quit as defence secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s administration in a row over funding, arguing that it was necessary to reach 3% by 2030.
Mr Rutte used a speech later on Wednesday to praise the UK for being “serious about security”.
“It is leading, along with Nato allies, the push back against Russia’s dangerous and reckless campaign against us,” Mr Rutte said.
He added: “Collectively we will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all allies, against any threat.
“Nato will not be intimidated by Russia’s campaign of hostile actions. Russia wants to stop us helping Ukraine – but their actions will only lead us to do more for Ukraine. Russia’s actions are a sign of weakness, and a symptom of Putin’s failure in Ukraine.”
Elsewhere in his Ditchley Foundation lecture, Mr Rutte addressed the changing nature of the military alliance.
Nato allies have agreed to hike spending on security to 5% of economic output by 2035 including the 3.5% target on core defence spending, amid burgeoning threats from Russia and China and demands from Donald Trump’s America that European member states invest more in their own security.
Mr Rutte said: “To stay transatlantic, Nato is becoming more European. A Nato with Europe, and Canada, spending more, producing more, and doing more for their security. This is the idea of Nato 3.0.
“Building for the future. A stronger Europe, in a stronger Nato.”
Mr Rutte also praised British efforts already under way to hike defence spending, which is expected to rise to around 2.7% of GDP by 2027.
“The UK is already investing more in defence. And I welcome the new Prime Minister’s assurance that his Government will meet its Nato commitments,” he said.
In a readout of the talks between Mr Rutte and the Prime Minister, a Downing Street spokeswoman said they discussed how the UK could further support innovation within Nato to ensure the alliance had the “forces of the future across all domains”.
She said: “The new national space strategy, released last week, would further enhance the UK’s innovation and resilience in the space domain too, the Prime Minister added.
“Turning to Ukraine, the Prime Minister reflected on his visit to Kyiv last month and said he was focused on supporting diplomatic efforts to secure further air defence for the country.”
On the Middle East, both agreed on the importance of ensuring long-term stability and security in the region.
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