DEFENCE SECRETARY SECURES £1.5BN BOOST FOR DRONE SPENDING

Dan Jarvis, the defence secretary, has secured an additional £1.5bn for the UK's defence investment plan, with the majority allocated to drone procurement. The funding was obtained after Jarvis persuaded Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, to increase the Ministry of Defence budget beyond the £13.5bn initially offered to his predecessor. The extra money reduces an £18bn funding gap that had prompted John Healey's resignation from the defence secretary post.

The cash allows Jarvis to increase planned drone spending from £4bn to £5bn over the next four years. According to sources, the deficit has been reduced by £15bn overall following negotiations between Jarvis and Reeves. Some additional funding came from requiring other government departments to reduce their capital budgets by at least 1 per cent. Royal Marine commandos will receive extra uncrewed speedboats manufactured by Kraken Technology, based in Fareham, Hampshire, as part of the settlement.

Keir Starmer sought to conclude the defence deal before leaving office. The 80-page plan covers multiple defence projects including frigates and nuclear submarines and will be presented to MPs. Healey, who departed the role over the funding disagreement, is expected to address Parliament on Tuesday as the plan is unveiled. According to the Nato secretary-general, the UK is expected to honour its alliance commitments despite the earlier funding rows.