UK's Healey says government will fill gap in defence plan by 'reprioritising'
XLI•Finance minister John Healey said the government will fill a £4.7 billion ($6.3 billion) gap in Britain's Defence Investment Plan through reprioritisation across departments.
1. Funding the defence plan
Healey said in his first budget that the Defence Investment Plan would be fully funded, including through capital reprioritisation across government departments. He said this honoured a commitment made by him and the prime minister.
2. Spending targets
Healey, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defence Minister Wes Streeting are under pressure to increase investment more quickly and set a path to defence spending of 3% of GDP, followed by NATO's 3.5% commitment by 2035.
