STORY
The Government is continuing discussions over future defence spending after John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary over the level of funding in the Defence Investment Plan. Dan Jarvis has been appointed to replace him, following confirmation from Downing Street that Healey and Armed Forces Minister Alistair Carns had left the Government.
Reuters reported that ministers are still considering the final spending position ahead of the NATO summit. Jarvis has said the Armed Forces must be properly supported, while the Government has said it must balance defence requirements with wider fiscal pressures.
The resignation has increased pressure on Starmer over national security policy and public spending choices. Opposition parties are expected to continue pressing ministers on whether the final plan will meet the scale of the threats identified in recent defence reviews.