Politics latest: £28bn black hole to be addressed in long-awaited defence investment plan as one of Starmer’s final acts

Sir Keir Starmer has found an extra £1bn to fund Britain’s defence following John Healey’s resignation over the issue.

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), originally due last year, has been held back amid furious wrangling within government over the amount of money required to finance the military.

Sir Keir Starmer has said that the Defence Investment Plan will back British innovation, industry and jobs.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the prime minister said: “This game-changing investment will strengthen our armed forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.

“At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country.

“Today’s defence investment plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.”

Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the long-delayed plan for defence spending as a game-changing move that will keep the UK “safe and secure long into the future” as he announced it will be published on Tuesday.