Trio of senior defence figures accuse Starmer of underfunding military

PM hit by three-pronged attack from ex-defence secretary, former defence minister and chief of defence staff

Keir Starmer is leaving British troops underfunded and unable to carry out the operations he expects from them, according to scathing remarks delivered in parliament on Tuesday by three senior defence figures.

The prime minister came under fire in separate interventions from his former defence secretary John Healey , the former defence minister Al Carns and the country’s current senior military officer, Rich Knighton.

All three accused Starmer of underfunding the military amid a bitter row over the defence investment plan (Dip), which has renewed concerns among Labour MPs about the direction of the government.

Healey and Carns both gave their Commons resignation speeches just days after quitting the government in protest at the Dip, which is expected to provide an additional £13.5bn to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over four years.

Healey told the Commons: “I took the decision to resign with the very greatest regret and reluctance. I continue to be certain about this decision. In time, I believe it will be seen as necessary in securing the future of our armed forces and of our alliances.”

In comments that highlighted concerns in the Labour party about Starmer’s reluctance to embrace radical policy options, he added: “This is not the moment for calibration or incremental change.

“This means bigger politics, bolder priorities, harder choices, and Britain’s challenge now is the transformation and the rearmament of our armed forces.”