Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Confirms Ongoing Defence Spending Talks After Resignations
Discussions regarding government defence funding remain “ongoing”, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed, days after the departures of Defence Secretary John Healey and junior minister Al Carns. Both resigned over what they described as inadequate financial provision within the government’s long-delayed defence investment plan.
Nandy dismissed assertions that the Prime Minister was compelled to reassess the plan’s funding due to the resignations. She stated that Sir Keir Starmer had clearly articulated that defence constituted the primary responsibility of any government, necessitating that they “meet this moment”.
“We are looking very carefully at how we achieve it. These conversations are not finished, this negotiation is happening as we speak,” Nandy commented, adding that she was consulting her own department’s officials on releasing funds for defence. New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is reportedly reviewing the plan in its “current draft form” and engaging in discussions with the Chancellor and Prime Minister.
Allies of the former Defence Secretary indicated that “more money is coming, but only as a result of Healey resigning… this is another unbelievable U-turn.” The defence investment plan, which outlines funding for military equipment and infrastructure over the next decade, was originally scheduled for last autumn but has faced repeated delays. Downing Street maintains it will be published before next month’s Nato summit.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Jarvis emphasised his responsibility to ensure the armed forces receive necessary equipment and funding. “That is the challenge that we have at a point of constrained fiscal resource, and I will be working with my colleagues across government to make sure that we’re in a position to do that,” he stated.
Al Carns, the former armed forces minister, called for “a really honest, open and courageous debate about where the money is going now.” Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge proposed cuts to the welfare budget, reinstating the two-child benefit cap, and reducing expenditure on net zero energy policies to fund defence increases.
Healey, a previously steadfast loyalist, accused Starmer in his resignation letter of failing to provide the requisite funds to “defend the country at a time of rising threats.” The government has pledged to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. However, Healey contended that the current plan only projected an increase to 2.68% of national income by 2030, arguing for a 3% target by that date, and described an additional £10 billion in funding as significantly insufficient.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey stated, “We’ve seen two defence ministers resign, because the prime minister isn’t able to sort of take a decision, to work across his government, to work with the Treasury. I think we’ve reached a crisis point.” His party advocates for the publication of internal government documents related to defence spending discussions.
