Sir Keir Starmer is pressing ahead with the publication of a long-delayed defence investment plan ahead of next month's NATO summit, Downing Street confirmed on Monday, even as his likely successor Andy Burnham signals he wants to tear it up.
A Downing Street spokesman said the government would publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) before the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara on 7 July, Starmer's final appearance on the world stage before he resigns as prime minister. The plan, intended to set out how the UK's key defence capabilities will be funded over the next decade, has already triggered the resignations of two defence ministers.
“Starmer pushes defence plan before NATO summit as likely successor Burnham wants to decide spending himself.”
John Healey quit as defence secretary saying the proposed rise to 2.68% of GDP by 2020 fell "well short" of the 3% target he argued was necessary. Al Carns, who resigned as armed forces minister last month, called the plan "not built for the threat we face".
But Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester who is expected to take over from Starmer the following week, is pushing to delay the blueprint so he can decide on the package himself. A member of Burnham's team said he would seek to take the DIP forward as prime minister on his own terms, rather than being bound by his predecessor. That would likely push publication back to September, a year after it was originally due.
Some senior figures in Starmer's government have privately concluded it would be preferable for the next Labour leader to own the plan. An ally of Healey said: "We know this settlement falls well short, and an incoming PM will still have to meet the same requirements" — adding that there is "a strong argument against publishing a half-baked DIP now".
A UK government official underlined the dilemma: "If I were him I would not try to force it through. Why not leave one of your impossible problems? There's too much of a fudge for it to be a positive legacy item." However, the official added they thought Starmer would still try to get the plan through before the summit, since it would be difficult for him to reassure allies on the UK's spending commitments without it.
Simon Case, a former cabinet secretary, told The Times: "Why would the MoD want to agree something with an outgoing prime minister? Anything that an outgoing prime minister announces is unlikely to be taken seriously by anybody."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the House of Commons the plan would "involve more money, spent more effectively and meet the scale of the challenges we face". But there is no suggestion the government will increase spending above what was already set out in the plan seen by Healey, despite reports the Ministry of Defence is asking for an extra £28bn and had only been offered an additional £10bn.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said he expects all members to arrive at the Turkey summit with clear spending commitments. Starmer, who has asked all government departments to cut their investment budgets to free up extra money for defence, now faces a race to secure a deal before handing over power — or risk leaving his successor a half-finished plan that further undermines the UK's credibility with allies.