‘Alarming!’ UK lacks ‘credible plan’ to fund Armed Forces as Britain forced to turn to allies
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has “no credible plan” to fund the British Armed Forces as the UK becomes increasing dependent on its allies, MPs have warned.
A gap between the MoD’s budget and the cost of the UK’s desired military soared to £16.9billion.
Despite receiving an injection of £46.3billion over the next decade, the figure constitutes the largest deficit on record.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee warned the real deficit could be even larger at £29billion.
However, some parts of the military included capabilities that were affordable rather than desired by the Government.
Dame Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the cross-party PAC, said: “In an increasingly volatile world, the Ministry of Defence’s lack of a credible plan to deliver fully funded military capability as desired by Government leaves us in an alarming place.”
The MoD’s equipment plan published on Friday warned the deficit has left the UK more reliant on its allies to protect its own interests.
Recruitment problems within the Armed Forces have been widely reported as servicemen and women leave the military at a faster rate than current hiring levels.
The MPs said: “With the support of its allies, the UK’s armed forces continue to fulfil a crucial international role.
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“However, many of its allies are facing similar challenges to the UK, which might affect their ability and willingness to continue providing extensive support.”
Rishi Sunak’s Government is coming under growing pressure to develop plans to mitigate the impact on the UK and MPs also yet again slammed the MoD’s procurement processes.
Dame Meg added: “This problem is not new. Year-on-year our committee has seen budget overruns and delays in defence procurement.
“A lack of discipline in the MoD’s budgeting and approach has led to an inconsistent plan that just isn’t a reliable overview of the equipment programme’s affordability.
“We’re disappointed that not only are the same problems we’re used to seeing on display here, but they also appear to be getting worse.
“Despite a budget increase, this year’s plan shows a clear deterioration in affordability.
“The MoD must get to a better grip, or it won’t be able to deliver the military capabilities our country needs.”
Responding to the report, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Conservative ministers might talk a good game on defence but this report is more proof of their failure to deal with the deep problems in the MoD.
“Ministers have lost control of the defence budget, failed to fix the ‘broken’ defence procurement system and wasted billions of pounds of public money.
“With war in Europe and conflict in the Middle East, ministers risk leaving our Armed Forces without the equipment they need to fight and fulfil our Nato obligations.
“Labour has a plan to defend Britain better. In Government, we will establish a new Military Strategic Headquarters and appoint a National Armaments Director to make sure our forces are ready to fight and defend Britain.”