Two defence ministers have resigned over Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial defence investment plan, which Downing Street insists will be published before a Nato summit on 7 July despite the prime minister’s own resignation. John Healey quit as defence secretary saying the planned rise in defence spending 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, said the plan was “not built for the threat we face”.
Starmer announced on Monday that he would resign as Labour leader and prime minister but will remain until the party chooses a successor. A Downing Street spokesman said there would be no new “major policies” or spending decisions during the transition, but the government is pressing ahead with the defence proposals — a decision that could cause tension with Starmer’s successor. Andy Burnham, the only candidate to have formally joined the leadership race, has previously said he would reduce the welfare bill to free up money for defence. Al Carns is considering entering the contest.
“Two defence ministers resigned over Starmer's defence plan, which will be published before Nato summit despite his resignation.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the House of Commons that the plan would be published before the Nato summit in Turkey on 7 July, saying it would “involve more money, spent more effectively and meet the scale of the challenges we face”. However, the Ministry of Defence has reportedly asked for an extra £28bn between now and the end of the decade but has been offered only an additional £10bn. New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, who took over after Healey’s resignation, signalled he is pushing for extra money for the armed forces, saying he has had “very good and constructive” meetings.
The resignations and delays have already drawn warnings from Nato’s former secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who described the UK’s defence “spending gap” as a “matter of concern for Nato”. MPs have also warned that repeated delays to publication were undermining the UK’s credibility with allies. If either Burnham or Carns becomes prime minister, they will have to decide whether to stick with the current plan or unpick it, further postponing implementation.