Jarvis Appointed UK Defence Secretary
Dan Jarvis was appointed UK Defence Secretary after John Healey resigned over insufficient defence spending plans.
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Jarvis Appointed UK Defence Secretary
Dan Jarvis was appointed the United Kingdom's new Defence Secretary on Thursday, June 11, 2026, replacing John Healey. This cabinet reshuffle follows Healey's resignation over disagreements regarding the government's proposed defence spending plan, which he stated would increase defence spending to only 2.68% of GDP by 2030, an amount he deemed insufficient.
Jarvis, previously the Security Minister, assumes the role amidst internal government debate on military expenditure. Al Carns, another defence minister, also resigned, citing the defence investment plan as "not fit for purpose." Healey had criticized the Treasury for its perceived unwillingness to adequately fund defence and the Prime Minister for not overriding these decisions.
The outgoing Defence Secretary, Healey, had argued that accepting the proposed defence plans would necessitate decisions that could compromise national security. His resignation and the subsequent appointment of Jarvis highlight ongoing tensions within the government regarding the scale and allocation of defence resources.