UK to Publish Defence Investment Plan Before NATO Summit Despite £18bn Funding Gap

The UK government will publish its defence investment plan before the NATO summit in Turkey on 7 July. The announcement came days after Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday he would resign as Labour leader and prime minister while remaining in office until a successor is chosen.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the timeline in the House of Commons and said the plan would involve more money spent more effectively to meet current challenges.

New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said he had held constructive meetings with Reeves and that his priority was to complete the plan but not at any cost. Jarvis told the Rusi Land Warfare Conference that he had a responsibility to get the plan right and that the urgent need for it would not change with the prime minister.

The Ministry of Defence has sought an extra £28bn through the end of the decade but has been offered only £10bn.

The plan has already prompted the resignation last month of armed forces minister Al Carns, who said it was not built for the threat the UK faces. The UK has vowed to reach 3.5% of GDP defence spending by 2035. Jarvis told the NATO secretary-general last week that the commitment would be met with a credible plan.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said he expects all allies to arrive at the summit with clear, concrete and credible plans for higher spending.