Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined to set a timetable for publishing the government's ten-year defence investment plan, amid mounting pressure from senior figures within his own party. The delay comes as senior Labour politicians warn that Britain faces growing security risks and accuse the Treasury of failing to address a reported £28 billion shortfall in defence funding over the next four years.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be resisting calls to cover the full gap, instead offering up to £10 billion in additional funding. This has reportedly forced the Ministry of Defence to consider significant cuts and efficiency savings. Defence Secretary John Healey is believed to be pushing for a larger settlement, citing rising global tensions and increased operational demands.

Former senior Labour figures, including Lord Robertson and Lord Hutton, have urged the government to prioritise defence over welfare spending, warning that the current balance leaves the country exposed. They argue that the rapidly expanding welfare budget is unsustainable and risks undermining national security.

The government has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3 per cent in the next parliament. However, the Treasury has indicated that broader spending decisions will not be revisited until a comprehensive review scheduled for 2027, prolonging uncertainty over the future of defence funding.