U.K. Defense Secretary and Junior Minister Resign Over Military Spending Dispute

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey resigned Thursday after clashing with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government over military spending plans. The disagreement centered on the delayed Defense Investment Plan, which outlines future military investment and readiness.

68 percent by 2030. In his resignation letter, Healey wrote that the government and Treasury had been unwilling to commit the resources needed to defend the country. He warned that the financial constraints would make the country less safe.

The departure removes a senior minister weeks before the NATO summit in Ankara, where allies face renewed pressure to increase defense spending. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker posted this week that allies must fulfill their commitment to spending 5 percent of GDP on defense.

U.K. funding package far lower than 18 billion pounds would send a negative signal ahead of the meeting, according to The Times. 7 percent of GDP on defense by 2030, while Starmer has pledged to reach 3 percent in the next Parliament.

On June 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the upcoming Ankara summit would be the most important meeting in NATO’s history.