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The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

New defence secretary to ‘reprioritise’ UK plan for military spending, say sources

Starmer ‘can’t sack him or let him resign’, says ally of Dan Jarvis after predecessor’s resignation The new defence secretary is to revisit a controversial plan for funding the armed forces and may return to demand more cash from the Treasury, allies have said. Multiple government sources said Dan Jarvis would look to “reprioritise” aspects of the defence investment plan (Dip), which was delayed until July after the resignation of John Healey following a disagreement over its funding. Continue

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

‘Labour had their chance – they flopped.’ Two days in Makerfield show me the scale of Burnham’s task | John Harris

Touring this bitterly divided constituency, what strikes you most is people want something better. But what exactly? Keir Starmer teeters. The defence secretary exits, and thereby seems to confirm the prime minister’s demise. Andy Burnham scents a final, belated breakthrough, while most of the national talk is of violence, a country in crisis and malaise. And in Platt Bridge, a neighbourhood at the heart of the constituency where the fates of the Labour party, the current government and the cou

DefenceHousing
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

Cabinet ministers asked to look for cuts to fund UK defence spending increase

Lisa Nandy says discussions are taking place about how to ‘keep this country safe’ after John Healey’s resignation UK politics live – latest updates Cabinet ministers have been asked to look for more money in their departments to fund an increase in defence spending after the resignation of the former defence secretary John Healey. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, told the BBC that her department was among those still in conversations with the Treasury about finding further sums for defence.

PoliticsEconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

UK forces board sanctioned Russian oil tanker in English Channel for the first time, says Keir Starmer - UK politics live

Prime minister says British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the early hours of Sunday morning Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The British armed forces intercepted a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday morning, the UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said. Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a

PoliticsDefenceCrime
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

Make platforms that promote violent content pay towards riot costs, Streeting says

Exclusive: Former minister calls for urgent action against companies such as X that allow incitement to violence Wes Streeting has called for Keir Starmer to take urgent action against X and other online platforms that have helped whip up social tensions, suggesting they should be forced to contribute to rebuilding costs after the riots in Belfast. The intervention by the former health secretary, who is seen as a likely challenger to Keir Starmer in any leadership contest, comes after Downing St

Defence
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

How Brexit has made Britain poorer – in charts

Forecasters were wrong about an immediate recession but right that we would be worse off outside the EU As the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote approaches, the verdict on Britain’s economic performance is clear: voting to leave has resulted in severe costs for households and businesses. The immediate recession predicted in the Treasury forecasts ordered by George Osborne – dubbed “project fear” by the Leave campaign – did not happen. The impact from the Covid pandemic, wars in Ukraine and Ira

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics13 Jun 2026

MPs call for end to real estate event over fear it pushes sale of Israeli settlements

More than 100 UK lawmakers urge government to cancel London event, warning it is linked to land ‘stolen from Palestinians’ More than 100 UK lawmakers have called for the cancellation of an Israeli real estate event scheduled to take place in London on Sunday, which had appeared to advertise the sale of land in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a letter sent to the foreign secretary on Friday, 101 parliamentarians and members of the House of Lords, warned the event was “firmly emb

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics12 Jun 2026

Merope Mills awarded CBE in king’s honours list for Martha’s rule campaign

Journalist and healthcare campaigner was driving force behind patient safety initiative after death of 13-year-old daughter The healthcare campaigner and journalist Merope Mills has been made a CBE in the king’s birthday honours list for services to patient safety. Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, was a driving force behind the introduction of an initiative in England said to have potentially saved hundreds of lives. She has spent years campaigning for the introduction of Martha’s rule un

DefenceHealthcare
The Guardian Politics12 Jun 2026

Who is Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary replacing John Healey?

Ex-paratrooper, once touted as a leadership contender, described by MPs as ‘honourable’ and ‘generally a good bloke’ MPs who know Dan Jarvis are not surprised he accepted the cursed job of defence secretary – even knowing he might only last a few weeks in the job. The former paratrooper, once touted as a leadership contender, has long seemed destined for that role after having worked his way diligently through ministerial ranks, a South Yorkshire mayoralty and the shadow cabinet. Continue readi

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics12 Jun 2026

Healey showdown raises fresh questions over Starmer-Reeves power dynamic

Former defence secretary’s accusation, that PM lacks impetus and is easily swayed by chancellor’s demands, is familiar territory One of the most scathing accusations made by John Healey in his resignation letter on Thursday was that the prime minister lacks the authority to stand up to his chancellor. “You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” the former defence secretary wrote.

EconomyDefence
The Guardian Politics12 Jun 2026

‘I’m not going away,’ says Keir Starmer despite defence secretary’s exit

PM promises to fight any leadership challenge, saying any successor would face same problems as him UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer has said he knows he has to “turn things around” after a series of crises culminating in the resignation of John Healey, the defence secretary, but warned that any successor would face the same set of difficult decisions. In an interview with the BBC after Healey’s departure in a row over defence spending, Starmer promised again to fight any leaders

PoliticsDefence
The Guardian Politics12 Jun 2026

Reeves grudgingly resorts to departmental salami slicing to fund UK defence budget

Starmer shows no will to pursue the main options for rising commitments: spending cuts, tax rises or borrowing UK politics live – latest updates Business live – latest updates When Keir Starmer wanted to promise Donald Trump that the UK would increase defence spending, he decided to fund it by slashing the UK’s aid budget – losing a cabinet minister, Anneliese Dodds, in the process. This time around, with John Healey’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) demanding an additional £18.5bn over four years

PoliticsEconomyDefence