Healey faces criticism over £2billion defence budget reduction

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 01:03 · Archive

John Healey has reduced the Ministry of Defence budget by £2billion in his first Budget despite pledging to meet NATO commitments.

John Healey has come under fire for reducing the Ministry of Defence budget by £2billion in his first Budget. The Chancellor will provide £72.8billion in 2027/28 and £75.5billion in 2028/29, a reduction from the previous plan of £73.8billion and £76.5billion respectively.

Mr Healey told Parliament that the defence budget is currently £14billion higher than the Conservatives' final year in office. He insisted the Government will aim to spend three per cent of economic output on defence by 2030 and will meet NATO's 3.5 per cent target by 2035, but said details of how to meet these commitments will be set out at next year's spending review.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described the approach as a "plan to have a plan" and accused the Chancellor of a "complete dereliction of duty", urging him to resign. Critics have described the budget decision as "shameful" and "penny-pinching" of the military at a time of growing threats to Britain.

How it is being reported

• £11billion black hole through the middle of Healey's defence vowThe Chancellor vowed to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 - when ministers fear Russia could attack Europe - and to hit a Nato target of 3.5 per cent by 2035.Daily Mail · 30 Oct, 00:49
• Labour condemned over 'shameful' £2billion defence raid in Budget: 'Penny-pinching our military!'John Healey has come under fire over his "shameful" decision to slash £2billion from the Ministry of Defence's budget amid growing threats facing Britain. After delivering his first Budget, it was revealed the Chancellor will hand the Ministry of Defence (MoD) £72.8billion in 2027/28 and £75.5billion in 2028/29. His predecessor, Rachel Reeves, set the MoD's budget as £73.8billion in 2027/28 and £76.5billion in 2028/29 in Labour's defence investment plan. Mr Healey insisted the Government will aim to spend three per cent of economic output on defence by 2030, but said a plan to meet the…GB News · 29 Oct, 13:20
• John Healey condemned over 'shameful' £2billion defence raid in Budget: 'Penny-pinching our military!'John Healey has come under fire over his "shameful" decision to slash £2billion from the Ministry of Defence's budget amid growing threats facing Britain. After delivering his first Budget, it was revealed the Chancellor will hand the Ministry of Defence (MoD) £72.8billion in 2027/28 and £75.5billion in 2028/29. His predecessor, Rachel Reeves, set the MoD's budget as £73.8billion in 2027/28 and £76.5billion in 2028/29 in Labour's defence investment plan. Mr Healey insisted the Government will aim to spend three per cent of economic output on defence by 2030, but said a plan to meet the…GB News · 29 Oct, 07:41

In this story: John Healey · Kemi Badenoch · Ministry of Defence · NATO · Britain

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