UK Defence Minister John Healey has resigned following prolonged disagreements with the government over increasing military spending amid a complex global security environment. In his resignation letter submitted on Thursday, Healey sharply criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration for failing to ensure adequate funding to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.

According to a Reuters report cited in the source, Healey accused the government and the finance ministry of neglecting to take necessary steps to secure resources vital for national security. The letter stated that the government had not prioritized defence funding and that the finance ministry had shown reluctance on the issue.

The report added that discussions between the defence and finance ministries over the proposed increase in military expenditure had been ongoing for months, but disagreements over the budget had stalled the government’s much-discussed “Defence Investment Plan” since last year. Analysts described Healey’s resignation as a significant political setback for the UK government that could intensify debate over defence policy and spending.