Selly Oak MP turns down ministerial offer

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Al Carns says he has turned down a job in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. Carns followed John Healey, then defence secretary, in resigning from former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer's government last month in a row over planned military funding, which both men said was not high enough. At the time, Sir Keir replaced Healey with Dan Jarvis, increased funding for the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip) by a little but notably left a £4.7bn funding gap. Now Carns says he has been offered a ministerial role by the chief whip, Anneliese Midgely, but declined because he is still concerned about defence funding. Image: Getty