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Theresa May has failed to commit to the UK remaining a "tier one" military power for the second time in a week.

The prime minister, who is under pressure to boost defence spending, insisted Britain would remain a "leading military power" but refused to explicitly confirm the country's "tier one" status.

Mrs May was urged to make the pledge at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday by Conservative backbencher Johnny Mercer, a former army officer who served three tours in Afghanistan.

The term describes nations that have the full range of military capabilities, including nuclear arms.

Mr Mercer asked: "Will the prime minister confirm to the House today that she is absolutely committed to this country retaining its tier one military status?"

In response, Mrs May assured MPs she was "absolutely committed to this country remaining a leading military power" but failed to address Mr Mercer's specific reference to "tier one" status.

"There is no question that the government will do what it needs to do to ensure that we are a leading military power," she said.

"But we do need to ensure that we look at the threats that we are now facing and the capabilities that we need as these threats change.

"That's what the modernising defence programme is about."

The prime minister added: "It is also about making sure our Ministry of Defence is operating as cost effectively as it can so that we ensure we are providing for our brave men and women, but we are also addressing the needs of the future.

"What is the defence of 2030? What do we need the Ministry of Defence and our armed forces to look like in 2030? That is the question.

"But we are committed to remaining a leading military power."

After the exchanges in the House of Commons, when asked why the prime minister did not confirm she wanted the UK to remain a "tier one" military power, Mrs May's official spokesman said: "She was clear last week that we are and will remain a leading military nation."

He added that the modernising defence review was "ongoing".

The prime minister was first asked about the UK's "tier one" standing last week, as Mrs May dismissed claims she recently asked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to justify the status as "not correct".

The Times reported on Wednesday that Mr Williams will ask Mrs May for up to £4bn extra a year for the armed forces at a crunch meeting set for next week.

Labour's shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith immediately seized on Mrs May's comments during Prime Minister's Questions.

She posted on Twitter: "Very worrying that Prime Minister yet again refuses to confirm that she wants the UK to stay as a Tier 1 military power. I have been clear that this is a category that Labour wants us to be in."

Although it is not a formally defined term, the Ministry of Defence interprets "tier one" military status as possessing a full spectrum of capabilities, including an independent nuclear deterrent, special forces, intelligence-led counter-terror capabilities and a navy, army and air force capable of being deployed anywhere in the world.

Whitehall officials regard the UK, Russia, China and France as possessing "tier one" status.