UK Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns Over Budget Dispute

UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced his resignation following a disagreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the defence budget. Healey argued that the government is not allocating sufficient resources to the Armed Forces.

Scraper SystemJune 11, 2026, 07:53 PM

UK Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns Over Budget Dispute

UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced his resignation due to a disagreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the defence budget. Healey shared his resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Starmer on X.

In his letter, Healey emphasized the need for increased investment in defence through the "Defence Investment Plan," stating, "After explaining to you that I cannot accept the 'Defence Investment Plan' agreement which fails to provide our Armed Forces with the resources they need, I have no choice but to submit my resignation as Defence Secretary."

BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT Healey accused Starmer of failing to allocate the necessary state resources to defend the country, adding: "You have not succeeded in this, and the Treasury has been unwilling to allocate the necessary resources for the country's defence amid increasing threats." The UK’s defence and treasury departments have been negotiating for months on how to meet rising military spending demands.

This situation has led to the postponement of the UK’s Defence Investment Plan since last year.