# Tories urge Healey to hit defence spending targets

> Tories demand John Healey meet military spending targets as Budget hints at 'down-payment'.
- Title: Tories urge Healey to hit defence spending targets · Dailymail
- Summary: Tories demand John Healey meet military spending targets as Budget hints at 'down-payment'. Chancellor John Healey faces pressure to hit 3% GDP defence…
- Keywords: tories, healey, defence spending, budget, 3 per cent, gdp, military spending, chancellor, defence secretary, keir starmer, kemi badenoch, urge
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16231603/Tories-Healey-defence-spending-targets.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-22T22:28:28+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tories, healey, defence spending, budget, 3 per cent, gdp, military spending, uk, chancellor, defence secretary, keir starmer, kemi badenoch
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Chancellor John Healey faces pressure to hit 3% GDP defence spending target by 2030 amid reports of a 'down-payment' at Budget.