Labour MP Alistair Carns appointed as veterans minister

War hero takes on new role

A war hero and former Royal Marine Colonel, Alistair Carns, has been appointed as the new veterans minister. Carns, who quit the military to run for Labour in the election, won't sit in the Cabinet.

Role of the new veterans minister

Carns is set to run the Office for Veterans' Affairs with oversight from the Defence Secretary, after being parachuted into the Government job on his first day in Parliament. This move comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces criticism for not appointing a veterans minister to the Cabinet as promised.

Concerns raised by Shadow Veterans Minister

Shadow Veterans Minister Andrew Bowie criticized the decision, expressing concerns that veterans will no longer have a dedicated voice at the Cabinet table. He questioned the Defence Secretary's ability to represent veterans effectively.

Pressure on PM for defense spending

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under pressure to outline plans to increase defense spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has called on the Government to clarify their defense policies to ensure national security.

Call for clarity on defense spending

In a letter to the new Government, Cartlidge urged them to commit to increasing defense spending and provide a timeline for achieving the 2.5 per cent target. The lack of clarity on this issue has raised concerns about the Government's commitment to national security.