Keir Starmer is scrambling to secure additional funding for military spending following the resignation of two defence ministers last week, as he prepares to attend the G7 summit in France on Monday.
Budget Cuts Across Departments
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that government departments are exploring further budget reductions to support defence funding. The Prime Minister faces awkward meetings with world leaders, including Donald Trump, as his defence plans unravel domestically.
John Healey dramatically resigned as Defence Secretary on Thursday, with Armed Forces minister Al Carns quitting hours later. Two ministerial aides in the department also followed suit.
Ms Nandy stated on Sunday that the new Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis—an Army veteran who served in the Parachute Regiment in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Afghanistan—"would not have taken the job unless he felt that we could meet this moment." She added: "We are working together constructively to achieve that. It's not an easy thing, and certainly not something that the last government managed to come anywhere close to achieving."
She refused to pre-empt the still-unpublished Defence Investment Plan but replied "yes" when asked by the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg if talks were underway to increase the plan's funding. Speaking to Sky News, she said: "There's a clear picture emerging from this Government that we have moved resources from other departments to fund defence, including mine and other departments, and we're continuing to do that. Defence remains the highest priority, and I don't agree that we're not committing the resources we need. But when the threat level changes, when the global situation changes, we must change our approach."
Healey's Resignation Letter
Ms Nandy disagreed with Mr Healey's claim that the Prime Minister failed to commit the cash needed for defence at a time of rising threats. In a blistering resignation letter, Mr Healey accused the PM of not standing up to the Treasury, which he claimed was unwilling to commit necessary funds. He said the Defence Investment Plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time."
The Mirror understands Mr Healey felt a 0.08% increase in defence spending committed in the plan was insufficient to end years of hollowing out of Britain's armed forces. He believed the uplift would amount to an extra £10 billion over four years, with military chiefs reportedly thinking a £13.5 billion pledge from the government was Treasury trickery.
New Defence Secretary's Stance
In his first interview since promotion, Mr Jarvis told the Sunday Telegraph he was working through the Defence Investment Plan details and is "absolutely determined to make sure that we deliver for defence." He said: "It's a moment of challenge. It's the responsibility of our Government to rise to meet that challenge, and that is what I will be working to achieve."
Andy Burnham—expected to try to replace Keir Starmer if re-elected as an MP in Thursday's Makerfield by-election—said over the weekend he would not be "squeamish" about reducing the welfare bill to fund defence spending. The Greater Manchester mayor stated that "the world has changed" and it was "obvious" the Government would have to adjust its assumptions about defence spending.
G7 Summit Agenda
At the three-day G7 summit in Evian, Mr Starmer will speak with counterparts about global challenges, from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in the Middle East. Discussions will include restoring freedom of navigation to the Strait of Hormuz, further sanctions on Russia, and military support for Ukraine.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The world is more dangerous today than it has ever been in our lifetime. We are facing wars on two fronts, the rapid acceleration of technology, and the deterioration of global order."
On Sunday, the Prime Minister welcomed his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi to Downing Street. Speaking before the meeting, Mr Starmer said: "We have the G7 starting tomorrow. We have lots of issues to discuss in a volatile world, but to be doing that with you and where we share values, approach, thinking, and where our countries are working ever more closely together is a real privilege for me."
