Wes Streeting appointed UK Defence Secretary; ‘disappointment’ with removal of Dan Jarvis, responsible for DIP

Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 07:34 UTC

“With John Healey now looking after the money, Wes Streeting can focus on the vital Defence Reforms necessary to deliver.”

Former Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has been appointed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the new UK Defense Secretary, replacing Dan Jarvis who has taken the job when John Healey resigned last June.

This means Jarvis was Defence Secretary for less than six weeks – but in that time he was responsible for publishing the long awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP), and there was expectation across the forces whether PM Burnham would keep his in Defense..

However taking to social media after it was announced that Streeting would replace him in the role, Mr Jarvis said: “It’s been an immense honor to serve as Defense Secretary and again be amongst those who give everything to defend our nation.”