Former defence minister John Healey appointed UK finance minister

WEB DESK: Former British defence minister John Healey has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s new finance minister by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the government announced on Monday.

Healey, 66, resigned from former prime minister Keir Starmer’s government last month, accusing it of failing to provide sufficient funding for the military and leaving Britain “well short” of what was needed to address growing security challenges.

A senior Labour figure, Healey was not widely expected to take on the finance portfolio. However, he previously served as a junior Treasury minister between 2002 and 2007, giving him experience in economic policymaking.

In his new role, Healey is expected to play a key part in helping the Burnham government secure additional funding to strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities.

Earlier in the day, Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to set out new measures to help with the cost of living this week before setting out a new 10-year plan for the country later this year.

In his first speech as premier, Burnham said, “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again”.