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.

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.”

Andy Burnham Vows to Splash Cash on Armed Forces ‘to Keep Britain Safe’ as Part of Remembrance Tribute

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has used this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations to reaffirm his government’s commitment to strengthening Britain’s Armed Forces, promising greater investment in national defence and improved support for military personnel and veterans.

His announcement comes as Britain faces an increasingly uncertain international security environment, with growing concerns about military readiness, geopolitical tensions and the country’s ability to respond to future threats.

Speaking ahead of the national Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London on 8 November 2026, Burnham paid tribute to generations of British service personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. He emphasised that remembering fallen soldiers should involve more than laying wreaths and delivering speeches: it should also mean ensuring that today’s Armed Forces have the resources necessary to defend Britain.

The Prime Minister’s message is particularly significant because the government is facing pressure to increase defence expenditure, modernise military equipment and improve conditions for serving personnel.

A Remembrance Tribute with a Strong Defence Message

Burnham described Remembrance Sunday as an opportunity to recognise the courage and selflessness of those who committed their lives to protecting others.

He expressed pride in honouring those whose sacrifices continue to protect Britain’s way of life.

The ceremony brought together King Charles III, members of the Royal Family, senior politicians, military representatives and thousands of veterans.

Approximately 10,000 veterans were expected to participate in the Royal British Legion’s annual march past the Cenotaph, representing more than 300 Armed Forces and civilian organisations.

Burnham’s first appearance as Prime Minister at the national ceremony was particularly symbolic. It allowed him to demonstrate his respect for Britain’s military history while outlining the government’s responsibilities towards the Armed Forces community.

His message was that national remembrance must be accompanied by practical action.

That includes ensuring military personnel receive appropriate equipment, training, financial support and the resources necessary to carry out their duties.

Billions in Defence Spending to Strengthen Britain’s Military

One of the government’s most important commitments concerns increasing defence expenditure over the coming years.

The government has pledged to reach defence spending of 3% of GDP by 2030, with a further ambition to increase spending to 3.5% by 2035.

These commitments reflect growing concerns about the international security environment and the need for Britain to maintain a credible military capability.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, has described the current security environment as the most dangerous period of his 35-year military career.

He has also stressed the importance of ensuring that Britain’s military equipment is delivered on time and meets the highest possible standards.

The government’s investment priorities include several important areas:

• The British Army: Modernising land forces, improving equipment and strengthening operational readiness.

• The Royal Navy: Maintaining Britain’s ability to protect maritime interests and contribute to NATO operations.

• The Royal Air Force: Investing in modern aircraft, air defence and advanced military technology.

• Cybersecurity: Strengthening the country’s ability to defend critical infrastructure against digital threats.

• Military personnel: Improving recruitment, training, accommodation and conditions for serving members of the Armed Forces.

However, the financial commitments also create difficult choices for the Treasury.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has acknowledged that increasing defence expenditure will require difficult decisions, potentially involving reductions in other areas of government spending.

She nevertheless insisted that the government remained committed to its NATO spending targets.

The central challenge is ensuring that additional money produces genuine improvements in military capability rather than simply increasing the defence budget on paper.

Burnham Makes a Personal Promise to Britain’s Veterans

Beyond military spending, Burnham has made a particularly significant commitment concerning veterans who are homeless.

The Prime Minister has promised to write personally to every council in England on Armistice Day, 11 November, asking local authorities to develop specific plans to ensure that veterans sleeping rough are offered accommodation before Christmas.

His message is that nobody who has served Britain should be left sleeping on the streets.

Burnham stated:

“No one who has served our country should be left to sleep rough on our streets.”

He also argued that people who were prepared to risk their lives for the country deserved more than expressions of gratitude.

They deserved a bed every night, a proper support plan and someone willing to help them from the beginning.

This commitment is particularly important because homelessness among former military personnel is often associated with several interconnected problems.

Some veterans experience physical disabilities, psychological trauma, addiction or difficulties finding stable employment after leaving military service.

Others struggle to access housing because they lack family support or have difficulty navigating the civilian benefits system.

The government’s approach therefore involves more than providing emergency accommodation. It also aims to connect veterans with specialist healthcare, employment services and longer-term housing assistance.

£8.7 Million to Help Homeless Veterans

The government has announced £8.7 million in funding for eight organisations across the United Kingdom through its Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme.

The organisations include:

• Veteran Housing Scotland.

• Launchpad.

• Alabare.

• The Riverside Group.

• Wigan Council.

• Royal British Veterans Enterprise.

• SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

• Tom Harrison House.

The funding is intended to help housing providers support veterans with complex needs, including health problems, addiction and difficulties finding employment.

The government has also highlighted the work of the Op FORTITUDE helpline, which connects homeless veterans with accommodation and specialist assistance.

According to the government’s announcement, the service has already helped more than 1,250 veterans into housing.

The funding forms part of a wider government commitment to tackling homelessness, with more than £4.4 billion allocated to homelessness and rough-sleeping services over three years.

Burnham has said that councils should use the available resources to ensure that every veteran sleeping rough receives an offer of accommodation before Christmas.

Importantly, his pledge concerns offering accommodation to every veteran who requests help, rather than guaranteeing that every individual will immediately obtain permanent housing.

Why Britain’s Armed Forces Need Greater Investment

The debate over defence spending comes at a time when Britain’s military faces several significant challenges.

For years, concerns have been raised about the size of the British Army, shortages of military equipment and difficulties recruiting and retaining experienced personnel.

International developments have also increased pressure on the government to strengthen national defence.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of maintaining strong conventional military forces, while tensions in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific have highlighted the increasingly complicated nature of international security.

Britain also has important responsibilities within NATO, including contributing to the collective defence of its European allies.

Consequently, increasing military expenditure is not simply about purchasing more weapons. It is also about ensuring that the country has enough trained personnel, effective logistics, modern technology and sufficient resources to respond to unexpected threats.

Burnham’s government must therefore demonstrate that its defence commitments can translate into a stronger and more effective military.

The Political Importance of Remembrance Sunday

This year’s ceremony also carries considerable political significance.

Remembrance Sunday is traditionally an occasion when political differences are put aside to honour those who lost their lives in military service.

However, it also provides an opportunity for national leaders to explain how they intend to support the Armed Forces in the future.

For Burnham, attending the Cenotaph as Prime Minister represents an important moment in establishing his relationship with Britain’s military community.

His commitments on defence spending and veterans’ homelessness allow him to present his government as one that recognises the sacrifices made by military personnel.

The presence of Nigel Farage and other senior political figures at the ceremony also demonstrates the growing importance of veterans’ issues across the political spectrum.

The question is whether political promises will translate into long-term improvements.

Military personnel need reliable equipment, appropriate accommodation, competitive salaries and confidence that their families will receive support when they are deployed.

Veterans need access to healthcare, housing and employment opportunities after leaving the Armed Forces.

These responsibilities should extend beyond individual political ceremonies.

Can Labour Deliver on Its Promises?

Despite Burnham’s ambitious commitments, the government faces significant financial challenges.

Increasing defence expenditure while protecting the NHS, education, social care and other public services will require difficult budgetary decisions.

There is also the question of whether Britain’s defence industry can deliver the equipment and technology required within the government’s proposed timescales.

Delays in military procurement have historically affected major defence projects, sometimes leaving the Armed Forces waiting years for essential equipment.

The government will need to work closely with British manufacturers, military leaders and international partners to ensure that additional investment produces meaningful results.

Similarly, the promise to eliminate rough sleeping among veterans will require effective cooperation between central government, councils and charitable organisations.

Funding alone will not solve every problem. Veterans must also be able to access the right services at the right time.

For Burnham, success will ultimately be measured by what happens after Remembrance Sunday, not simply by the promises made during it.

Conclusion: Honouring Britain’s Heroes Through Action

Andy Burnham’s Remembrance Sunday commitments represent an attempt to connect Britain’s military history with the challenges facing the Armed Forces today.

His pledge to increase defence spending reflects growing concerns about national security and Britain’s responsibilities within NATO.

Meanwhile, his commitment to ensure that homeless veterans receive accommodation before Christmas sends an important message about the country’s responsibilities towards former service personnel.

There is a powerful principle behind these announcements: people who have risked their lives defending Britain should not be forgotten when they return home.

However, the government must now demonstrate that its commitments are financially sustainable and supported by effective policies.

Increasing defence expenditure will only make a difference if it produces better equipment, stronger military capabilities and improved conditions for serving personnel.

Similarly, ending veteran homelessness requires more than temporary accommodation. It demands long-term support, appropriate healthcare and opportunities for former service personnel to rebuild their lives.

Ultimately, Britain’s gratitude towards its Armed Forces should be demonstrated throughout the year.

As the country remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Burnham faces an important responsibility: ensuring that today’s soldiers, sailors, air personnel and veterans receive the respect, protection and practical support they deserve.

A nation should not only remember those who defended it in the past. It must also take responsibility for protecting those who serve it today.