JOHN HEALEY RESIGNS AS DEFENCE SECRETARY OVER SPENDING DISPUTE

John Healey has resigned as Defence Secretary, citing what he described as insufficient funding for the Defence Investment Plan. Healey stated that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Treasury were unwilling to commit the necessary resources to the plan. He said the financial settlement reached for the Defence Investment Plan was inadequate, with crucial support not arriving until after 2030. Healey concluded he had no option but to resign on the grounds that he could not accept a settlement that failed to provide the armed forces with required resources.

The Defence Investment Plan had been called for a year before Healey's resignation, but its publication was significantly delayed owing to ongoing disputes over funding. Healey directed his resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer. The dispute centred on the allocation of resources between the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence. Healey stated publicly that the Prime Minister had failed to properly fund the plan.

Healey's departure represents a significant loss from the Cabinet and places further pressure on the government over its defence spending commitments. The resignation comes amid broader debate within Westminster about the level of UK military investment. The delayed Defence Investment Plan remains unpublished. No announcement has been made regarding a replacement for Healey in the role of Defence Secretary.