British Defense Secretary John Healey resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government on June 11, 2026, citing insufficient funding for the United Kingdom's national defense. In his resignation letter, Healey expressed concerns that his warnings regarding defense funding had been ignored, leaving the country vulnerable amid rising global threats.
Healey criticized Starmer's defense investment plan as inadequate, stating it fell short of what was necessary for the current security environment. He acknowledged some achievements during Starmer's tenure, including increased defense spending and new agreements with European allies, but emphasized that the lack of resources for the armed forces was unacceptable.
In his letter, Healey pointed to various responsibilities facing the UK, such as leading military missions in the Strait of Hormuz and NATO's Arctic Security mission, while resources have not kept pace with these demands. He noted that the new Defense Investment Plan he reviewed was insufficient and expressed that he could not accept a settlement that would compromise the readiness of the armed forces.
Healey's resignation comes at a challenging time for Starmer's government, which is already facing multiple crises, including national unrest related to recent violent incidents. The resignation adds pressure on the government to address both the concerns raised by Healey and the ongoing issues it is currently managing.