Politics latest: £28bn black hole to be addressed in long-awaited defence investment plan as one of Starmer’s final acts

John Healey resigned as defense secretary earlier this month due to delays in his defense investment plan.

In his resignation letter, he argued that the UK would spend just 2.68 per cent of GDP on core defense by 2030, casting doubt on the country’s ability to meet NATO’s five per cent of GDP target by 2035.

Mr Healey said the long-delayed defense investment plan (Dip), due to be published this week, would only provide an extra £13.5bn, far below the £28bn officials had discussed over four years.

Mr Healey was widely respected by his NATO colleagues, particularly for his role in Britain’s support for Ukraine during the full-scale Russian invasion.

Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marine, also resigned from the government, arguing that the defense investment plan was “not designed for the threat we face”.

Sir Keir Starmer has found an extra £1bn to fund Britain’s defense following John Healey’s resignation over the issue.

The Defense Investment Plan (DIP), originally planned for last year, was postponed due to bitter wrangling within the government over the amount of money needed to fund the military.

Sir Keir Starmer said the Defense Investment Plan will support British innovation, industry and jobs.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the prime minister said: “This game-changing investment will strengthen our armed forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.

“We also support British innovation, British industry and British jobs, and deliver opportunities to every corner of the country.

“Today’s defense investment plan will help drive growth across the UK and provide our industrial base with the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe into the future.”

Sir Keir Starmer has praised his long-delayed defense spending plan as a game-changing move that will keep Britain “safe and secure for the long future”, as he announced it will be published on Tuesday.