John Healey has stepped down from his position as Defence Secretary, accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of failing to adequately finance the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). In a resignation letter, Healey stated that he was left with "no other option" after the Treasury proved "unwilling" to commit necessary resources for national defence amid escalating global threats.
Healey's Letter to Starmer
In his letter, Healey highlighted achievements under the Labour government, including leading international support for Ukraine, raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, and launching the deepest defence reforms in 50 years. However, he criticised the DIP settlement, which he received fully on Monday afternoon, as "well short of what is required." He noted that additional support is backloaded, with the bulk of funding arriving after 2030, despite the urgent need to accelerate readiness within the first two years.
Funding Dispute Details
Healey argued that the settlement would only raise defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, whereas the UK is already set to reach 2.6% next year. He insisted that a target of 3% of GDP by 2030 is essential, citing Nato's assessment of a potential Russian attack by that year. He warned that without adequate funding, he would be forced to make decisions reducing force readiness and increasing risk to personnel.
Political Fallout
The resignation comes amid Labour's disappointing local election results and growing pressure on Starmer. Healey's departure is seen as a significant blow to the government, as he was a key figure in defence policy. The full letter, published by Healey, details his pride in the government's achievements but underscores his inability to accept a DIP that fails to meet the moment.
Reactions and Next Steps
Political analysts suggest that Healey's resignation could trigger a reshuffle and intensify debates over defence spending. The government has yet to announce a successor. Meanwhile, Healey pledged his continued support for the Labour government, expressing hope that the nation's security needs will be addressed.
