Former defence minister Al Carns has declined an offer to join Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government, citing unresolved concerns about the adequacy of defence funding.
Carns, who resigned from his previous position last month alongside then-defence secretary John Healey, stated that his reasons for leaving remain pertinent. The resignation occurred over planned military funding levels, which both men argued were insufficient for the current threats faced by the nation.
At the time of their departures, Sir Keir Starmer replaced Healey with Dan Jarvis and made a minor increase to the funding for the defence investment plan (DIP), leaving a significant £4.7 billion funding gap.
Carns expressed on social media that while he would normally accept a government role, the core issue of defence funding has not been settled. He believes accepting the offer would signal an end to his advocacy for increased military spending, a cause he intends to continue pursuing from the back benches.
Despite his decision, Carns acknowledged that the appointment of John Healey as the new chancellor is a positive step. Healey, who resigned for the same reasons, faces the challenge of securing the additional funds he argued were necessary for national security. Carns characterized Healey as "a man of his word" and expressed confidence that he will address the funding commitments that led to his earlier resignation. "The Prime Minister knows exactly what John stands for and that appointment is meaningful and I welcome it," Carns added.
New Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has emphasized the need for "modernisation" alongside military investment, stating his goal to ensure "every penny is spent wisely." Prime Minister Burnham has reiterated his commitment to meeting the UK's defence spending obligations, including NATO's target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Meanwhile, Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has raised questions about the government's commitment to increasing defence spending to 3% within the current parliamentary term, which is set to conclude in 2029.