Chancellor Healey will be under pressure to deliver for armed forces
Newly appointed UK Chancellor John Healey faces pressure to increase military spending after previously criticizing the Treasury for underfunding the armed forces. Healey must now balance his past advocacy for a 3% GDP defense target with his new responsibilities for the broader national budget.
Why it matters
The appointment highlights the internal political conflict between fiscal austerity and the geopolitical pressure to modernize military capabilities in the face of global threats.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, In his previous role as defence secretary, Healey was vocal in his support of increased military spending
John Healey as chancellor will now have to deliver on what John Healey as the former defence secretary said the Treasury failed to do - properly fund Britian's armed forces.
When he resigned from Sir Keir Starmer's government last month he accused the Treasury of being "unwilling" to properly fund the Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
This was supposed to set out details of defence spending to modernise the military and reverse what he had called "the hollowing out" of the armed forces.
The DIP's publication had been delayed by nearly a year as Healey wrestled with the Treasury and No 10 to fund the plans. He didn't get anywhere near what he said was needed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in