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Tories urge Healey to hit defence spending targets
Tories demand John Healey meet military spending targets as Budget hints at 'down-payment'.
In brief
Tories demand John Healey meet military spending targets as Budget hints at 'down-payment'. Chancellor John Healey faces pressure to hit 3% GDP defence spending target by 2030 amid reports of a 'down-payment' at Budget. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Tories pressure Healey on defence targets
Tories are urging Chancellor John Healey to hit military spending targets after his resignation as Defence Secretary.
Healey's resignation over defence spending
Healey resigned as Defence Secretary in June after accusing Treasury of being unwilling to find money for UK safety.
Defence spending target
Healey's resignation letter stated the Government must reach three per cent spending of GDP on defence by 2030.
Current target shortfall
The current plan is 2.68 per cent spending of GDP on defence by 2030, far below the target.
Budget 'down-payment' report
Reports suggest only a 'down-payment' will be given at the Budget for defence spending targets.
Shadow defence secretary's warning
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said Britain is 'no closer to hitting the target he said was essential'.
Tory leader's demand
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said if Healey 'cannot do this job, then he should resign'.
Public opinion on welfare cuts
Savanta survey found 44 per cent of Brits support cutting benefits to boost defence spending.
Opposition to welfare cuts
34 per cent of Brits oppose cutting benefits to increase Ministry of Defence budget.
Public support for foreign aid cuts
63 per cent of Brits support reducing foreign aid spending to fund defence.
Opposition to increased borrowing
47 per cent of Brits oppose increasing government borrowing for defence spending.
Opposition to tax increases
64 per cent of Brits don't want taxes raised to fund greater defence spending.
Public support for services
75 per cent of Brits don't want spending on public services reduced.
Tory voter support for welfare cuts
70 per cent of Tory voters support welfare cuts to boost defence spending.
Reform UK voter support
85 per cent of Reform UK voters support welfare cuts to boost defence spending.
Labour voter opposition
39 per cent of Labour voters want welfare spending cut to fund defence.
Public unwillingness to pay more tax
62 per cent of Brits are unwilling to pay extra tax for defence spending.
Tax perception survey
43 per cent of Brits think they pay too much tax, 12 per cent don't know how much they pay.
Healey's budget plans
Healey will detail how to pay for a £4.7billion hole in current defence spending plans at next week's Budget.
No 3 per cent timeline
Healey is not expected to set out a path to 3 per cent GDP defence spending by 2030 until a spending review next year.
The big picture
Chancellor John Healey faces pressure to hit 3% GDP defence spending target by 2030 amid reports of a 'down-payment' at Budget.
