Ex-defence secretary John Healey takes swipe at Starmer over spending cuts

LocalPolitics
16 Jun 2026 • 10:55 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ex-defence secretary John Healey takes swipe at Starmer over spending cuts

  • John Healey, the former defence secretary, resigned last week, criticising the prime minister for allowing the Treasury to dictate defence policy based on cost-saving measures.
  • Healey stated that the UK's defence spending plan is "well short of what is required" and called for bolder priorities to protect Britain in an increasingly dangerous world.
  • His resignation, along with that of armed forces minister Al Carns, stemmed from the belief that the allocated £10 billion in extra defence cash was insufficient to meet future needs or the 3.5 per cent GDP spending target.
  • Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer defended his government's defence spending, stating it represents the biggest increase since the 1980s, and ruled out allocating further funds.
  • Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, chief of the defence staff, warned that military operations and capabilities would need to be "dialled back" unless defence funding significantly increases.

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