the government's plan for defense... falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time.
John Healey
The Public Record
the plan - which he was shown on Monday - "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time".
The Government cannot warn about Russia, Iran and China, then produce a Defence Investment Plan that leaves the Armed Forces short of the money, people, stockpiles and industrial capacity needed to meet that threat.
You spelled out the threats last week: 'it is our intelligence assessment, and the assessment of other countries in NATO, that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030.'
I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.
the prime minister had been “unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats”.
Sir Keir of failing to properly fund the nation's defence investment plan during a “dangerous time”.
I never expected to write this letter, but I am forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make our country less safe.
Your DIP financial settlement - which I was first given in full on Monday afternoon this week - falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time.
the UK should be spending 3% by an earlier 2030 timetable, but warned the plan he was presented with this week moved too slowly
the prime minister had been unable and the Treasury unwilling to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats
the proposed settlement for the defence investment plan (DIP) falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time
After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defense Secretary.
You know what defense needs. You made the argument for this powerfully in your speech at the Munich Security Conference back in February.
I wish you all continuing strength in the exceptional challenges you face as prime minister.
the government's defence investment plan falls "well short of what is required at this dangerous time"
The excellent and extensive cross-government work that completed in January – overseen by you, me and the Chancellor – confirmed the scale of the challenge and the rising demands on defence.
Since then, you have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.
I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary.
Without a Dip that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.
You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats.





