Keir Starmer hits again at John Healey’s dramatic resignation with defence spending vow
Keir Starmer has insisted he will deliver ‘an unprecedented increase in defence spending’ after John Healey dramatically quit as Defence Secretary – read the PM’s letter in full
Keir Starmer has insisted he will deliver “an unprecedented increase in defence spending”(Image: Getty Images)
Keir Starmer has insisted he will deliver “an unprecedented increase in defence spending” after John Healey dramatically quit as Defence Secretary earlier today.
Mr Healey lashed out at the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves – saying long-delayed plans for military investment would leave the armed forces vulnerable and make Britain less safe.
But in a letter responding to Mr Healey’s resignation, the PM suggested he was wrong to criticise the Government’s commitment to defence spending, saying the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will “provide the resources our military need to keep us safe”.
He said the plans are backed by “necessary investment”, adding that the DIP will be underpinned by “sustainable and fair” increases in spending. The PM added: “Strong public finances are part of what keeps us safe – irresponsible borrowing only puts that at risk.”
Scroll down to read Mr Starmer’s letter in full
In his blistering resignation letter, Mr Healey accused the PM of not standing up to the Treasury, which he claimed was unwilling to commit the funds needed to defend the nation.
It comes as ministers are locked in a tense battle over how to fund the long-awaited DIP, which is already more than six months late.
In his letter, Mr Healey said the plan – which he was shown on Monday – “falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time”. It means the PM needs to find a new Defence Secretary just days before leaders of the G7 nations meet next week in Évian-les-Bains, France, and ahead of next month’s crucial NATO summit.
The Mirror understands Mr Healey felt a 0.08% increase in defence spending committed in the plan was not sufficient to end years of hollowing out of Britain’s armed forces. He believed the uplift would amount to an extra £10billion over four years, with military chiefs said to think a £13.5billion pledge from the government was Treasury trickery.
Keir Starmer’s letter in full
Dear John,
The world today is more dangerous and uncertain than at any point in our lifetimes. That requires a serious response to build our economic resilience and our national defences.
We have achieved a great deal working together. We inherited a situation where our armed forces had faced years of underfunding and neglect. Our work leading the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine, defending our Gulf allies, and working together with like-minded nations on a plan for the Strait of Hormuz has helpedmake the world more secure.
I am proud of our record on funding. When we entered government in 2024, I took the decision to increase defence spending after the Conservatives hollowed out our armed forces. That required a cut to theinternational aid budget but the result was the highest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. I will always do what is needed to keep our country safe. I thank you for your work to deliver on all of this.
You are also right that we have to go further. The Defence Investment Plan does just that — delivering an unprecedented increase in defence spending in a sustainable way. It will provide the resources our military needs to keep us safe and the clarity the British defence industry needs to plan. It will make the big strategic investments we need for the long term and give the certainty which private finance needs to invest. It will allow our armed forces to transform and modernise and back them with the tools they need to change the way wefight — and to deter our enemies.
And crucially it will ensure the money spent is spent wisely and used to back jobs and growth here in Britain.We are backing this with the necessary investment. The increases in spending that underpin this plan will be sustainable and fair. They will mean significant reallocations of funding from across government departments and the right choices to protect our nation. Strong public finances are part of what keeps ussafe – irresponsible borrowing only puts that at risk.Taking these decisions is never easy. I am determined to rebuild our country after years of being buffeted by crises. I am sorry that you will not be part of that work going forward.
All best wishes,
