John Healey has stepped down as the United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary, citing concerns that the government’s defence spending plans are insufficient to meet growing security challenges.
His unexpected resignation follows increasing disagreements within Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration regarding a long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
The strategy is expected to outline funding arrangements for military equipment purchases and defence infrastructure projects over the next decade, following a review of Britain’s defence capabilities conducted last year.
In a resignation letter addressed to the prime minister, Healey said the decision was one he “never expected to write.”
He criticized both Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, accusing them of failing to provide the level of financial commitment needed to strengthen national security amid escalating global threats.
He wrote: “Your DIP financial settlement, which I was first given in full on Monday the afternoon this week, falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time.
“The extra support is backloaded when the pressure of operations and imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years, and it rises to just 2.68 per cent of GDP in 2030, when we will reach 2.6 per cent next year with the investment we are already making.”
Healey’s departure is expected to intensify debate over the government’s defence priorities and its commitment to boosting military preparedness at a time of heightened international uncertainty.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending dispute
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