UK defence ministers resign over spending plan, putting Starmer under pressure

The UK political landscape was shaken on Thursday by the resignation of two senior defence figures. Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns stepped down in protest over the government's defence investment plan (Dip). The move has increased pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership was already seen as precarious.

According to The Guardian, Healey saw what he believed was the final version of the plan on Monday and concluded it did not commit enough money to the armed forces. Carns, after resigning, described the plan as underfunded and outdated. In his letter to Healey, Prime Minister Starmer defended the plan, stating it would deliver an unprecedented increase in defence spending in a sustainable way, providing resources for the military and clarity for the defence industry.

Despite the resignations, Business Secretary Peter Kyle rejected claims on Friday morning that Labour's defence policy was "in tatters". Kyle told Times Radio that the plan is still being developed and the government is determined to get it right. He also stated the Dip will be set out before the NATO summit in early July, implying a delay from earlier expectations of a publication this week.

Dan Jarvis, formerly the security minister, was appointed defence secretary on Thursday evening. He arrived at Downing Street on Friday morning and is scheduled to visit a drone factory in Swindon. It remains unclear whether Jarvis insisted on revisions to the Dip spending figures as a condition for taking the role.

The government had initially planned to announce the Dip this week, but on Wednesday Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle criticised the idea of making such an important announcement while Parliament was not sitting, calling it "an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face" to MPs. The government subsequently abandoned plans for a Friday announcement.