Politics latest: £28bn black hole to be addressed in long-awaited defence investment plan as one of Starmer’s final acts

Politics latest: £28bn black hole to be addressed in long-awaited defence investment plan as one of Starmer’s final acts Prime minister set to press ahead with his defence investment plan despite high-profile resignations over spending - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce an extra £1bn to fund Britain’s defence in what will be one of his last acts as prime minister. His defence investment plan (DIP) has been at the centre of a fierce political row, which saw defence minister John Healey quit in protest after arguing it did not provide enough money to keep Britain safe from growing threats. But the prime minister is expected to press on with announcing the DIP on Tuesday, despite concerns it may be ripped up by Andy Burnham, who looks set to take on the premiership next month. In a speech at a defence firm, Sir Keir will set out how the DIP will accelerate Britain’s drone capabilities, as wars in both Ukraine and Iran have seen widespread use of the warfighting robots. Speaking ahead of the launch, the prime minister said: “Today’s defence investment plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.” Why did John Healey quit as defence secretary? John Healey quit as defence secretary earlier this month over delays in the defence investment plan. He suggested in his resignation letter that the UK was on course to spend only 2.68 per cent of GDP on core defence by 2030, casting doubt on the country’s ability to meet its Nato target of five per cent of GDP by 2035. Mr Healey said the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip), which is expected to be published this week, was only due to provide an extra £13.5 billion, far short of the £28 billion over four years which officials had argued for. Mr Healey was well-respected by his Nato peers especially for his role in the UK’s support for Ukraine amid the full-scale Russian invasion. Armed forces minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marine, also resigned from government, arguing the defence investment plan was “not built for the threat we face”. Watch: Nato chief Rutte meets outgoing prime minister Starmer at Downing Street Extra £1bn secured for defence budget Sir Keir Starmer has found an extra £1bn to fund Britain’s defence following John Healey’s resignation over the issue. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), originally due last year, has been held back amid furious wrangling within government over the amount of money required to finance the military. DIP will back British innovation, industry and jobs, Starmer says Sir Keir Starmer has said that the Defence Investment Plan will back British innovation, industry and jobs. Speaking ahead of the launch, the prime minister said: “This game-changing investment will strengthen our armed forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe. “At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country. “Today’s defence investment plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.” Starmer hails defence investment plan a game-changing move to keep UK 'safe and secure long into the future' Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the long-delayed plan for defence spending as a game-changing move that will keep the UK “safe and secure long into the future” as he announced it will be published on Tuesday. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments