UK Defence Secretary John Healey resigns amid military spending dispute

John Healey has resigned as the United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary, saying that the government’s defence spending plans are inadequate to address rising security challenges.

The resignation came after growing disagreements within Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration over a long‑awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

The plan is intended to set out funding for military equipment purchases and defence infrastructure projects over the next decade, following last year’s review of Britain’s defence capabilities.

In a resignation letter to the prime minister, Healey said the decision was one he “never expected to write.”

He criticised both Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, accusing them of failing to provide the 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 back‑loaded when the pressure of operations and the 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 likely to intensify debate over the government’s defence priorities and its commitment to boosting military preparedness at a time of heightened international uncertainty.