The Defence Investment Plan has encountered numerous postponements despite alerts that the UK’s military faces a significant budget shortfall.
On Thursday, British Secretary of Defence John Healey stepped down, pointing to inadequacies in government defence funding schemes.
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In a letter sent to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Healey condemned the financing of the long-anticipated Defence Investment Plan (DIP), stating he had «no alternative» but to resign.
Initially planned for release in Autumn 2025, the DIP is intended to outline the UK’s defence expenditures for the coming decade; however, it has been repeatedly delayed despite warnings about a critical funding gap facing the armed forces.
“The DIP financial settlement you provided—received in full only on Monday afternoon this week—falls considerably short of defence and national needs at this precarious moment,” Healey wrote in his letter of resignation.
“You understand what defence requires,” he added. “Without a DIP adequate to the challenges, I am compelled to make choices that would diminish the readiness of our Forces, escalate risks to personnel on missions, and could weaken national security.”
Healey also stated that he would continue to support the Labour government and expressed pride in his accomplishments during his tenure.
The unexpected resignation of Healey and his tenure as defence secretary have been widely praised throughout Westminster.
Al Carns, UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces and Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, remarked that Healey had rendered “serious service in challenging times.”
“I worked closely with him and witnessed the dedication, concern, and gravity he brought to every briefing, even the toughest,” Carns wrote on X, noting that the Ministry of Defence confronts problems “without straightforward solutions.”
Robert Jenrick from Reform UK also commented, applauding Healey’s decision and urging both Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to resign.
“This Government finds funds for Ed Milliband’s ambitious plans, international aid, and foreign benefits. Yet, nothing goes to our armed forces. Well done, John Healey. Shame on them,” Jenrick said.
In a social media post, Tory MP and former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed longstanding respect for Healey, stating he “consistently prioritises defence of the realm and our interests more seriously than either Keir Starmer or Rachel Reeves.”
Healey’s departure intensifies pressure on Starmer and adds to a series of recent ministerial resignations following former Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s exit in May.