UK Defense Spending Plan Delayed; Defense Secretary and Deputy Resign
UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Deputy Al Carns resigned over a delayed defense spending plan, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of a by-election next week.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 11:20
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 11:38 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 11:40 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, London, 11th Combined Foreign Reports) UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Deputy Defense Minister Al Carns resigned today following a dispute over military spending, leading to greater calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down as he already faced immense pressure.
According to Agence France-Presse, Healey warned before resigning that Starmer's long-gestating "Defence Investment Plan (DIP)," which concerns defense spending over the next decade, has been delayed, potentially making the UK "less secure."
Later in the evening, Deputy Defense Minister for Armed Forces Al Carns and Healey's aide Pamela Nash also announced their resignations.
This wave of resignations has weakened Starmer's leadership authority at a sensitive time. The UK is set to hold a parliamentary by-election in one week, the results of which could trigger a party coup to replace the prime minister.
Dan Jarvis, who previously served as the Home Office's deputy minister for security, was immediately promoted to Defense Secretary.
After appointing Jarvis, Starmer stated: "This Labour government is driving the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War."
The center-left Starmer had promised to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP starting next year, to 3% if Labour wins the general election expected in 2029, and to 3.5% by 2035.
However, according to media reports, dissatisfaction with the details of the spending plan had long existed within the Labour Party.
In his resignation letter, Healey said he only saw the full content of the DIP for the first time on the 8th of this month, which projected defense spending in 2030 at only 2.68% of GDP. Sources revealed that the Treasury's proposal did not even include a specific timeline for achieving 3% spending. (Editor: Shi Shi) 1150612
According to Agence France-Presse, Healey warned before resigning that Starmer's long-gestating "Defence Investment Plan (DIP)," which concerns defense spending over the next decade, has been delayed, potentially making the UK "less secure."
Later in the evening, Deputy Defense Minister for Armed Forces Al Carns and Healey's aide Pamela Nash also announced their resignations.
This wave of resignations has weakened Starmer's leadership authority at a sensitive time. The UK is set to hold a parliamentary by-election in one week, the results of which could trigger a party coup to replace the prime minister.
Dan Jarvis, who previously served as the Home Office's deputy minister for security, was immediately promoted to Defense Secretary.
After appointing Jarvis, Starmer stated: "This Labour government is driving the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War."
The center-left Starmer had promised to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP starting next year, to 3% if Labour wins the general election expected in 2029, and to 3.5% by 2035.
However, according to media reports, dissatisfaction with the details of the spending plan had long existed within the Labour Party.
In his resignation letter, Healey said he only saw the full content of the DIP for the first time on the 8th of this month, which projected defense spending in 2030 at only 2.68% of GDP. Sources revealed that the Treasury's proposal did not even include a specific timeline for achieving 3% spending. (Editor: Shi Shi) 1150612
FAQ
Who resigned?
UK Defense Secretary John Healey and Deputy Defense Minister Al Carns resigned.
Why did they resign?
They resigned in protest over the delayed announcement of the government's Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
When did this happen?
This occurred on June 11, 2024.