Al Carns, the former defence minister who resigned last month over inadequate defence funding, has turned down an offer from new prime minister Andy Burnham to return to government, saying the funding dispute that prompted his departure remains unresolved. He stated that accepting a new role now would imply the issue had been settled, when in fact he still believes current defence spending plans fail to meet the threats facing the country.

Carns quit hours after then-defence secretary John Healey resigned over the same concerns, both accusing former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of failing to commit sufficient resources in the delayed Defence Investment Plan. Burnham, who became prime minister this week, has not yet committed to Healey's call for defence spending to rise to 3% of GDP by 2030, though Carns noted that Healey's appointment as chancellor was encouraging since he "is a man of his word" on the issue. Carns, once seen as a potential leadership rival to Burnham, said he would continue pressing the case for higher defence spending from the backbenches.