Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over funding shortfall

John Healey resigned from the Cabinet on 16 June, telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer the government's defence plan falls short of what Britain needs. The resignation—the most senior ministerial exit over defence spending in years—follows military warnings of a £28 billion shortfall over four years. Healey said Britain's enemies "don't follow timetables set by the Treasury," framing the dispute as a strategic risk rather than a budget disagreement.