Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has confirmed that discussions within the government over defence funding are "ongoing," following the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey and junior minister Al Carns over spending concerns.
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Nandy rejected suggestions that Prime Minister Starmer was forced to reconsider the defence investment plan's funding due to the resignations. She emphasized that the government's first priority is national defence and that they must "meet this moment."
"We are looking very carefully at how we achieve it. These conversations are not finished, this negotiation is happening as we speak," Nandy said.
The culture secretary revealed she is consulting with officials in her department about reallocating funds to defence. She added that new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is reviewing the investment plan in its current draft form and engaging with the chancellor and prime minister.
The defence investment plan, which outlines how new military equipment and infrastructure will be funded over the next decade, was due last autumn but has faced repeated delays. Downing Street insists it will be released before the next NATO summit, though not in the coming week.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Jarvis stated his responsibility to ensure the armed forces receive necessary equipment and funding, acknowledging the challenge of constrained fiscal resources while pledging to collaborate across government.
Former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns urged for "a really honest, open and courageous debate about where the money is going now" during his appearance on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge offered cross-party cooperation to fund defence, proposing cuts to the welfare budget, restoration of the two-child benefit cap, and reduced spending on net zero energy policies.
Healey's resignation, unusual for a previously loyal Labour minister, has intensified discussions. In his resignation letter, he accused Starmer of insufficient funding to "defend the country at a time of rising threats."
The government has committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Healey suggested the current plan would increase spending to 2.68% by 2030, arguing for 3% by that date. He claimed the government offered only an additional £10bn, far short of what is needed.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the situation as a "crisis point," with two defence ministers resigning over the prime minister's inability to make decisions across government and Treasury. His party is pushing for the publication of internal documents on defence spending discussions.