UK forces face operational cuts without more cash, defence chief warns

The UK's armed forces will have to "dial back" training and operations if they do not receive more cash than is currently being offered, the chief of the defence staff has warned.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the government's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) did not include enough funding to support "day-to-day activities" in the short term.

John Healey resigned as defence secretary last week, claiming the proposed cash settlement "would reduce the readiness of our Forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations".

In a Commons statement earlier on Tuesday, he said his resignation had been "necessary in securing the future of Britain's armed forces and our alliances".

"My decision last week was about our country, not career," he told MPs.

And in a swipe at Chancellor Rachel Reeves, whom he has said was "unwilling" to provide adequate funds to meet the threats facing the nation, he warned that "our adversaries do not follow timetables set by the Treasury".

The government has committed to increasing defence spending to 3.5% of national income by 2035, in line with allies in the Nato military alliance.

The defence investment plan was due to be published last week but has been delayed further following Healey's resignation.