New UK defence secretary appointed after funding dispute ousts predecessor

Dan Jarvis has been appointed the United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary following the resignation of his predecessor, John Healey, amid a dispute over military spending, Downing Street announced on Thursday, June 11, according to foreign media reports.

Jarvis, a former army officer, previously served as Secretary of State for Security at the Home Office in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government.

Healey, who had held the post of Defence Secretary since July 5, 2024, stepped down after disagreements with the government over the scale of defence investment. In his resignation letter, he criticised both the prime minister and the Treasury for failing to commit sufficient resources to meet the country’s defence requirements, raising concerns about military readiness and the safety of personnel.

His departure follows a prolonged dispute over the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which is intended to increase UK defence spending. Healey had warned that he could not support an agreement that left the armed forces underfunded.

“After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary,” he said in the letter addressed to the prime minister.

The resignation adds to pressure on Starmer, who is facing political instability and internal challenges ahead of a key by-election next week.

The Labour government has pledged to boost military expenditure and plans to present the Defence Investment Plan ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7–8. Under current commitments, defence spending is set to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, increase to 3% after 2029, and reach 3.5% by 2035, in line with NATO benchmarks.

Recent developments in Iran have also underscored the impact of years of underinvestment and industrial delays, which have left the Royal Navy with a limited presence in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova