Spending on the security services could be merged with the defence budget to hit a key Nato target , David Cameron indicated yesterday . The Prime Minister is under intense pressure from both his own MPs and former generals to guarantee that the Conservatives will continue to spend at least 2 per cent of Britain ’ s national income on defence . A study published yesterday revealed that Britain will miss the target by more than £2billion next year if current spending plans are maintained . Missing this figure would be deeply embarrassing for Mr Cameron , who lectured other Western leaders on the need to maintain defence spending at the Nato summit in Wales last year . But he indicated that he could hit the target by re-badging the £2billion budget for the security services as defence spending . Prime Minister David Cameron is under fire over claims Britain will fail to meet its Nato target of spending at least 2 per cent of its national income on defence next year . He told LBC radio : ‘ I have a responsibility to make sure we make the right decisions about defence and other security spending . ‘ I look at these things in the round , so I am also concerned about the budget for MI5 , the Secret Intelligence Service , GCHQ , counter-terrorism policing . To me all of these things are part of our national defence. ’ A study by the impartial House of Commons Library yesterday revealed that Britain will need to spend an additional £2.2billion on defence next year in order to hit the target – and an extra £1billion every year after that . It added that current plans suggest defence spending will otherwise represent only 1.87 per cent of national income next year . But former Tory defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth condemned the move as a ‘ complete cop-out ’ . An RAF Typhoon fighter jets was scrambled to escort a Russian Bear bomber when it flew into UK airspace last month . There are fears a defence funding squeeze would leave the UK reluctant to tackle such incursions . He said last night : ‘ No amount of fancy footwork or creative accountancy is going to fool anybody . Adding the security budget to defence will not produce a single extra bullet or soldier . ‘ It doesn ’ t address the fundamental problem that the UK and our allies face very real threats – a resurgent Russia , complete turmoil in the Middle East and many other threats around the world . Former Tory defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth has condemned the move as a ‘ complete cop-out ’ 'If this idea goes ahead it will be seen by all for the gimmick that it is. ’ Mr Cameron has faced repeated attacks over defence spending from former military leaders . The former head of the army , General Sir Peter Wall , warned that the funding squeeze was leaving the UK reluctant to tackle Russian incursions into its airspace and offshore waters . Another former Army chief , Lord Dannatt , said it would be ‘ extraordinary ’ for a Conservative government to fail to meet its commitments on defence . Mr Cameron yesterday showed his irritation at the comments – suggesting that some vocal critics were speaking out in order to promote their memoirs . He said : ‘ Obviously they have their own book to talk – sometimes quite literally a book to talk – and sometimes they just want to make their views known. ’ Tory rebels plan to force a Commons vote on defence spending tomorrow . Many are angered Mr Cameron has pledged to spend 0.7 per cent of our income on foreign aid , but will not make a firm commitment to meet the Nato target .
Britain will miss target by more than £2billion next year , says new study . Cameron has suggested re-badging £2billion budget for security services . PM has lectured Western leaders on need to maintain defence spending . Switch would potentially avoid embarrassment for him over Nato target . But idea is branded 'complete cop-out ' by former Russian defence minister .