UK Cabinet Ministers Asked to Find Departmental Savings for Defence Spending Rise

Cabinet ministers have been asked to identify additional funds within their departments to support an increase in defence spending. The request follows the resignation of the former defence secretary last week. The culture secretary told the BBC that her department remains in discussions with the Treasury over further contributions.

She said departments are examining options to meet the requirement.

The former defence secretary resigned after rejecting a defence investment plan settlement he described as insufficient. In his resignation letter he stated he could not accept a plan that does not give forces the resources they need. The settlement offered an extra £2 billion, or 0.08 percent of GDP, by 2030. No target date was set for reaching 3 percent of GDP.

The new defence secretary has been given until the NATO summit in Ankara in two weeks to present an alternative plan with higher investment. The culture secretary said discussions with the Treasury and prime minister are ongoing. She stated that some areas, including the BBC, would not face cuts due to national resilience needs.

She added that ministers had expressed private reservations about the earlier decision to cut international aid. The armed forces minister also resigned later the same week, citing inadequate funding levels and the inability of government processes to respond quickly to changing threats.