John Healey Accused Of Defence Spending U Turn

John Healey has been accused of an “unforgivable” climbdown on defence spending just two months after quitting the cabinet demanding more cash for the military.

The chancellor has refused to commit to spending 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2030.

That is despite attacking Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves for not promising to hit that target when he resigned as health secretary in June.

In his resignation letter to the then prime minister, Healey said: “I am certain that a headmark date for 3% of GDP on defence in 2030 is what Britain must set.”

However, it has now emerged that he will not make that spending commitment himself when he delivers his first Budget as chancellor in October.

Instead, he will set out how the government will plug a separate £5 billion black hole in the Defence Investment Plan.

Decisions on how the government will the achieve the Nato target of spending 3.5% on defence by 2035 have been delayed until next year.

A government source told the Financial Times: “At the spending review we’ll set out a clear path to meet our 3.5% Nato target in 2035 and set a target date for us to hit 3% on that path.

“The spending review is the right place to set a target date.”

However, it remains unclear whether that 3% target date will be 2030, as Healey demanded two months ago.

Former Tory foreign secretary James Cleverly condemned Healey on X.

He said: “John Healey resigned over Starmer’s refusal to properly fund defence.

“We said he was an honourable man and at a time of European war and global uncertainty a step change in defence spending was needed. Now it is Healey refusing to properly fund defence. Unforgivable.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The first duty of government is to keep its citizens safe. The prime minister and chancellor are committed to fully funding the Defence Investment Plan.

“At the spending review we will set out a pathway to meet our Nato commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 and will set a target date to hit 3% on that path.”

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