Key facts
- UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis will publish a delayed defense investment plan before the NATO summit.
- Jarvis has reportedly secured approximately £1 billion more than his predecessor, John Healey.
- The plan covers major capital programs for the next 10 years.
- Healey resigned after failing to bridge an £18 billion funding gap for the plan.
- Jarvis secured at least £14 billion in negotiations for the plan.
- The NATO summit is scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to leave office around July 17.
UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has pledged to release a delayed defence investment plan before the upcoming Nato summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7-8. Indications suggest Jarvis has secured approximately £1 billion more than his predecessor, John Healey, who resigned earlier this month after failing to bridge an £18 billion funding gap for the 10-year plan. Jarvis is understood to have obtained at least £14 billion in negotiations, though it remains unclear if the total defence budget has increased. The plan aims to address accumulated neglect from previous governments, with Jarvis emphasizing the need to map a trajectory towards 3% and eventually 3.5% of GDP for defence spending. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to step down around July 17, and concerns exist within the Ministry of Defence that his potential successor, Andy Burnham, might renegotiate any agreed-upon defence spending deal. However, allies of Burnham suggest a resolution to the funding row would be preferred. Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed confidence that the new plan will be published and involve more money spent more effectively.