UK's Healey says government will fill gap in defence plan by 'reprioritising'

By Reuters News13:22 (UTC), 28 October 2026 Updated

LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Finance minister John Healey said on Wednesday "reprioritisation" in other departments would fill a £4.7 billion ($6.3 billion) gap in Britain's Defence Investment Plan, a blueprint government hopes shows its NATO commitment.

In his first budget, Healey told parliament: "In today's budget, I am fully funding the Defence Investment Plan, including through capital reprioritisation across Whitehall."

"This honours the commitment made both by me - and by the prime minister". Whitehall refers to a part of London which is home to most of the government's departmental building.

Healey, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and defence minister Wes Streeting are under pressure to increase investment more quickly and mark a clear path to reaching first 3% of GDP in defence spending and then a NATO commitment of 3.5% by 2035.

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