Keir Starmer just shafted Andy Burnham by leaving him a £15bn defence black hole

When, as now seems inevitable, Andy Burnham goes to see the King on 20 July to be confirmed as His Majesty’s fourth prime minister in four years, he will have a huge to-do list waiting for him back in Downing Street.

The government announced on Tuesday the defence investment plan, complete with a £15bn boost – but nearly £5bn would have to be found by a future chancellor.