See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR and MARK NICOL, DEFENCE EDITOR Published: 10:09 BST, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 10:48 BST, 30 June 2026
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves congratulated each other on finally agreeing a defence plan today - even though it is far short of what the military said was needed.The PM and Chancellor, who only have weeks left before Andy Burnham takes over, hailed a £15billion funding package at a launch in Maidenhead.But there was no mention of former Defence Secretary John Healey, who quit earlier this month when No10 and the Treasury would not increase the level from £13.5billion. And Sir Keir is still facing a bruising showdown with Donald Trump next week as he finally releases the Government defence investment plan.The plans include a £5billion drone 'transformation', but it has emerged just £1billion of this is fresh investment, with a £4billion drone programme having been announced last year.Critics fear the £15billion extra funding over the next four years is 'too little too late', and will include massaged figures and repackaged promises. There is also still no timetable for pushing defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP. After months of bitter wrangling in Whitehall, the outgoing PM is unveiling a package including a £5billion drone 'transformation' Sir Keir is due to attend the Nato summit in Turkiye alongside Mr Trump, who has been highly critical over the lack of military investmentFormer Defence Secretary John Healey and his former deputy Al Carns, who both resigned in protest last month, are poised to make what could be highly damaging interventions when the details are unveiled in the Commons later. Before that Sir Keir will make a speech talking up the extra funding.But the PM's last big moment on the world stage could now be extremely tricky. Sir Keir is due to attend the Nato summit in Turkiye alongside Mr Trump, who has been highly critical over the lack of military investment.The member states have committed to spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence, with an extra 1.5 per cent on 'resilience' measures. A White House official sent another shot across the bows of the UK and other allies last night, saying: 'President Trump expects Nato allies to abide by their 5 per cent defence spending pledge.' Sir Keir is on track to be out of Downing Street on July 20, with Andy Burnham looking certain to take over in a 'coronation'. It is far from clear what the former Greater Manchester Mayor will do on defence, after he gave his first big speech yesterday but refused to answer any questions. The bid to manufacture hundreds of thousands of drones over the next four years is a major part of the DIP.That could rise to millions of drones at a time of conflict – Ukraine expends 200,000 every month to thwart Russian attacks.The DIP will also include proposals to build six so-called 'budget warships' – replacing more expensive destroyers.But the DIP has already cost Labour two high-profile resignations – John Healey as defence secretary and Al Carns as Armed Forces minister. Sir Keir met Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in No10 yesterday They quit following the Prime Minister's failure to overrule the Treasury and his putting forward of a deal seen as tens of billions of pounds short.Service chiefs say a cash injection of £28billion over four years is needed to make the UK secure – but the soon to depart PM has only offered, it is suggested, £14.5billion.Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge said: 'This is too little too late. Too little because it is barely more than John Healey and Al Carns resigned over, and too late because the plan is almost a year overdue. It is only being rushed through because Keir Starmer is desperate for a legacy.
