On 11 June 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of jeopardising national security by failing to commit enough money to the armed forces. It was a dramatic departure from a minister known for his loyalty, and it triggered a wider crisis in the Ministry of Defence, with Armed Forces Minister Al Carns quitting hours later and two ministerial aides also walking out. At the heart of the row is a long-running argument about how much the UK should spend on defence, and whether the government is serious about its promises to protect the country.
The immediate trigger was the government's long-delayed Defence Investment Plan. Healey had been pressing Starmer for a larger increase in defence spending than he was offered. The deal he was presented with on Monday 8 June included an extra £13.5bn over four years – which defence sources said was really only £10bn once “Treasury trickery” was accounted for. That would have taken defence spending from 2.6% of GDP to 2.68% by 2030, well short of the 3% target the government has committed to. Healey wanted a clear timetable to reach 3% by 2030. In his resignation letter, he said the plan would actually mean cuts to investment because of increasing demands from supporting Ukraine, protecting Gulf allies and deterring Russia in the Arctic.
“Explains the UK defence spending row that led to John Healey's resignation in 2026.”
The UK’s defence budget has been under strain for years. Successive governments have promised to increase spending, but the Treasury has often pushed back, worried about borrowing and competing priorities like health and education. The Ministry of Defence has also faced criticism for poor procurement – planes and ships frequently cannibalised for parts, and attack submarines stuck in maintenance backlogs. In 2023, the government passed the Procurement Act, which allows national security exemptions to favour British firms. Defence Secretary Healey had announced plans to use those exemptions to “buy British” and support UK jobs. But the broader spending shortfall remained.
For UK readers, this matters directly: it is about whether the armed forces have enough equipment and personnel to defend the country. The resignation of a defence secretary on principle is rare and signals deep disagreement at the top of government. It also affects Britain’s credibility with allies, especially within NATO. The US has been pressing European members to spend more, and the UK is Europe’s largest military spender by some measures. If the government cannot agree on a credible spending path, it risks being seen as an unreliable partner. For ordinary people, the row means uncertainty about future defence contracts, jobs in the defence industry, and the military’s ability to respond to crises.
Q: Why did John Healey resign? Healey resigned because the extra defence funding Prime Minister Starmer offered – around £13.5bn over four years, effectively £10bn – was not enough to avoid cuts. He had been pushing for a commitment to reach 3% of GDP by 2030, but the offer only moved spending from 2.6% to 2.68%. He said the plan would make Britain less safe.
Q: Who is the new Defence Secretary? Dan Jarvis, the former Security Minister and an Army veteran who served in the Parachute Regiment, was appointed as Defence Secretary on the evening of 11 June 2026, hours after Healey resigned. He inherits a department in crisis.
Q: What is the 2.5% and 3% of GDP targets for defence? NATO allies have a target to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence. The UK currently spends about 2.3% and has pledged to reach 2.5%. The government has also committed to an ambition of 3% of GDP, partly due to pressure from the US. Healey wanted a firm date for 3% by 2030, but the Treasury resisted.
The immediate next step is for new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis to try to finalise the Defence Investment Plan. But with the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence still at odds, and with the prime minister’s authority weakened, it is unclear when a plan will be published. The row may also feature in the Labour leadership contest, with Andy Burnham among those challenging Starmer. Meanwhile, the armed forces continue to operate under existing budgets, and allies will be watching closely to see if the UK can match its words with funding.