UK still discussing how much to spend on defense, minister says

Discussions on how much Britain can spend on defense are ongoing, with other government departments being pushed to free up more cash, a minister said on Sunday, ‌following the resignation of the defense secretary in a dispute over spending.

Keir Starmer was dealt a heavy blow on Thursday when John Healey - widely respected in government and by the defense sector - quit, accusing the prime minister of failing to secure enough money to keep the country safe.

Starmer had for months been mulling how to fund a Defense Investment Plan (DIP) before ultimately settling on a figure that Healey said was unacceptable.

The new defense secretary, Dan Jarvis, told the Sunday Telegraph he was determined to get the Armed Forces the funding they need, saying the government must "meet the moment". Culture minister Lisa Nandy said on Sunday that talks were ongoing.

"I'm having ‌discussions with my own officials in my own department about the amount of funding that we make available," Nandy told BBC Television on Sunday, adding that Jarvis was looking at the Defence Investment Plan in its current draft form and having talks with the finance minister and Starmer.

Reuters