Senior defence figures criticize Starmer over military funding
8 reported
Three senior defence figures accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of underfunding the military in separate parliamentary interventions on Tuesday, according to a single-source report. Former defence secretary John Healey, former defence minister Al Carns, and current chief of the defence staff Rich Knighton all criticized the government’s defence investment plan (Dip). Healey and Carns gave resignation speeches after quitting the government in protest over the plan, which is expected to provide an additional £13.5bn to the Ministry of Defence over four years. Knighton told parliament’s defence select committee that Britain would have to “dial back” military operations if funding does not increase. The interventions highlighted concerns among Labour MPs about Starmer’s reluctance to embrace what the article describes as radical policy options. Starmer defended his record, stating he delivered the biggest uplift in defence spending since the 1980s, and said he would fight any leadership contest.
What’s reported
Three senior defence figures criticized Starmer in parliament on Tuesday: former defence secretary John Healey, former defence minister Al Carns, and current chief of the defence staff Rich Knighton.
Healey and Carns resigned from the government in protest over the defence investment plan (Dip), which is expected to provide an additional £13.5bn to the MoD over four years.
Healey said the current defence investment plans fall short, citing a rise of 0.08% from next year to 2030, no date for reaching 3% of GDP, and no path to 3.5% by 2030.
Carns said the military is spending too much time preparing for “last year’s war, not tomorrow’s.”
Knighton said Britain would have to “dial back” military activities in Europe, Ukraine, and the Middle East if funding does not increase.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting urged Starmer to set a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield byelection.
Starmer said he does not think there should be a contest and intends to fight one if it occurs.
Starmer stated he increased defence spending from 2.3% to 2.6% last year and is working with new defence secretary Dan Jarvis on the Dip.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
John Healey, former defence secretary
Al Carns, former defence minister
Rich Knighton, chief of the defence staff
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor
Wes Streeting, former health secretary
Dan Jarvis, new defence secretary
Sources: The Guardian
