Former Defence Minister Al Carns Criticises Waste and Legacy Spending at the MoD

Al Carns, 46-year-old former special forces soldier and former defence minister, called the MoD “unbelievable waste and inefficiency”. He said each review uncovered further shocks, with bureaucracy costing more than the intended equipment, and argued the defence investment plan (Dip) funds increasingly obsolete legacy programmes.

The Guardian

The Dip was drafted under defence secretary John Healey, who resigned last Thursday after a dispute over Treasury funding and prime minister’s ability to enforce difficult decisions. Dan Jarvis, the defence secretary, said a revised plan will be published before the July NATO summit, and sources say he will be allowed to reprioritise parts of the Dip.

The Guardian

Carns resigned from his ministerial role after Healey’s departure, stating his exit was intended to provoke a policy debate rather than seek party leadership. Healey blamed insufficient Treasury resources for MoD’s constraints. Jarvis has pledged to release an updated investment plan ahead of the NATO summit.

The Guardian

Carns cited the tank procurement programme as an example of sunk cost, noting that contracts placed years ago now represent a £700 million loss, with expenses running into the hundreds of millions. He suggested redirecting those funds toward innovative systems.

The Guardian

Jarvis confirmed the revised Dip will be issued before July NATO summit and that MoD will have an opportunity to “reprioritise” aspects of the plan, with sources saying he will be granted latitude. Healey previously argued Treasury shortfalls limited defence spending and that prime minister could not force necessary decisions.

The Guardian

Carns warned that continuing legacy spending undermines national resilience and that public primary concerns centre on cost of living, health and education rather than security. He urged new leader to reframe defence spending within an agenda that includes mental health, youth unemployment and prison reform. He expressed concern that instability could be exploited by foreign adversaries, citing Moscow.

The Guardian

• “I don’t think we could have got this more wrong – but we’re in it now. My goodness, make the change once if you’re going to, get on with it and get the country back on track,” — Al Carns, former defence minister

The Guardian

• “They were ordered ages ago, and if you cancel them now, that’s sunk cost …” — Al Carns

The Guardian

• “ Carns said he was deeply concerned about how the instability at the top of government and the potential leadership vacuum was being viewed by the UK’s enemies: “Moscow is probably rubbing its belly.” — Al Carns

The Guardian

• “I think anyone who wants to have that job doesn’t understand that job. This isn’t about ego, this is obviously about service.” — Al Carns

The Guardian

The July NATO summit will be the first venue where revised defence investment plan is expected. Observers anticipate Jarvis may use the summit to signal a shift toward innovative capabilities and away from legacy programmes, though extent of reprioritisation remains unconfirmed.

The Guardian