Dan Jarvis named new defence secretary after John Healey resigns

Dan Jarvis has been named as the new defence secretary of the United Kingdom, replacing John Healey who resigned earlier on Thursday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the appointment, stating that Jarvis would strengthen the armed forces and address growing threats to national security.

Healey stepped down after the Treasury refused to provide the level of defence investment he argued was necessary. In his resignation letter, Healey criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves for being 'unwilling' to fund defence adequately and Starmer for failing to overrule her. He noted that under the proposed defence investment plan, spending would only rise to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, which he said 'falls well short of what is required'.

Armed forces minister Al Carns also quit over the government's defence spending plans. On social media, Carns wrote: 'We owe those who serve the UK the kit to do the job and the loyalty to stand by them when it's done. We are failing on both.' In his resignation letter, Carns called for a change in governance, stating that the government's machinery had decayed and decisions were taking too long.

Labour MP Pamela Nash also resigned as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Defence Secretary, saying that failures to secure funding had damaged public trust. She warned that if the government cannot provide a strong vision, political opponents could take power.

Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Rich Knighton sent an internal message to military personnel urging them to remain apolitical and not be drawn into speculation about funding decisions. Starmer said the appointment of Jarvis was part of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, promising to give the armed forces the capabilities they need to keep the nation secure.