Andy Burnham vows to splash cash on Armed Forces 'to keep Britain safe' as part of Remembrance Sunday tribute

Andy Burnham has vowed to splash cash on Britain's Armed Forces to "keep the country safe" in a tribute message on Remembrance Sunday.

Ahead of London's Cenotaph during the National Service of Remembrance this morning, the Prime Minister paid tribute to "the courage and bravery of the Armed Forces".

He stressed the importance of remembering those who "made the ultimate sacrifice for our country" while committing himself to devoting more funds to the UK's defence.

Mr Burnham also promised to give troops the "good housing, training, and support they deserve".

About 10,000 veterans are due to take part in the Royal British Legion’s annual parade, which will feature participants spanning from every generation, from young military cadets to the last surviving veterans who served in World War II.

In a heartfelt statement this morning, the Prime Minister said: "I want to give my thanks to those who have served and are still serving today. I know you and your families make huge sacrifices to keep our country safe.

"My job is to make sure that sacrifice is honoured, both through the way we treat our Armed Forces and our veterans, but also through the country we build for you and for your loved ones.

"We will give our Armed Forces the funding and equipment you need to keep this country safe, as well as the good housing, training, and support you deserve.

"This is a world where once again it’s become necessary to stand up for our values and stand alongside our allies.

"Our memories of those who went before us give us strength to know we will never be cowed in the face of threats or aggression.

"And together we will build a country we are proud to serve, and a future that remembers and honours those who fought for our freedoms. A Britain worth fighting for."

Mr Burnham will write to English council leaders on Armistice Day to encourage them to write up plans to hand out accommodations for homeless veterans before Christmas.

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Local authorities will be told use part of the £874million already allocated to the goal to tackle homelessness affecting veterans.

Yesterday, Mr Burnham said: "People who stepped forward prepared to put their lives on the line for the rest of us should never lack a roof over their head.

"When they need help, the country owes them more than warm words. It owes them a bed every night, a proper plan and someone in their corner from day one."

To achieve his wider goal of offering a bed to everyone sleeping rough this Christmas, the Prime Minister will tell councils to work with grassroots organisations and charities to achieve the ambitious bid.

But, still, Mr Burnham, with his Chancellor in tow, has faltered on revealing his plan to increase defence spending in line with targets as dictated by Nato.

John Healey previously resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s Defence Secretary, saying he was frustrated that the Government was failing to raise defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030.

However, as Mr Burnham's Chancellor, he postponed the major increase in defence spending until next year.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of failing to fund the Armed Forces amid growing threats in an increasingly dangerous world.

She told GB News: “If we get attacked, and we can see countries like Russia and Iran are getting bolder, we need to get ready. We saw the attack on RAF Fairford. We can see that things are changing."