Wes Streeting said Prime Minister Andy Burnham's appointment of John Healey as Chancellor proved the Armed Forces have a 'firm friend' in the Treasury.

Andy Burnham has taken an axe to Keir Starmer's Cabinet and invited his own allies into Number 10 on his first day as Prime Minister.

Andy Burnham carried on where Sir Keir Starmer left off on defence spending today - by failing to pledge any additional funding.

Wes Streeting, issu de l'aile droite du Labour, avait eu des mots très durs pour Keir Starmer en quittant son poste de ministre de la Santé en mai. Lundi, en réponse à sa…

The move will be read as a sign that Burnham is serious about bolstering defence spending and honouring Britain’s international commitments.

Hopes were raised last night that new Chancellor John Healey will push Britain towards a higher defence spend.

The former health secretary had initially intended to challenge Keir Starmer but now joins Burnham’s cabinet.

As arguments rage over spending 2.7 or 3 per cent of GDP on defence, the Department of Health spends 10 per cent.

In Andy Burnham's first full day as Prime Minister, No10 also ruled out issuing 'defence bonds' to raise billions of pounds for extra military spending.

Putting Ed Miliband in charge of the Treasury would have signalled a genuine new era. Instead, the new PM has played it safe, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones

Wes Streeting said Prime Minister Andy Burnham's appointment of John Healey as Chancellor proved the Armed Forces have a 'firm friend' in the Treasury.

New defence secretary emphasises military will be spending priority over other departments under Burnham

Britain's military ambitions can be met with investments to boost jobs and growth