Starmer could barely scrape an accounting error of defence uplift, some £13bn over four years, one hundredth of the annual total UK government expenditure.

Healey took aim at Starmer and Reeves for failing to fully fund a defence investment plan and lifting spending to three per cent of GDP.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJohn Healey, the former defence secretary,…