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13/10/2005
MoD ‘risking troops lives’, report claims
The British armed forces could be put at risk, because of “woeful” management of procurement projects by the Ministry of Defence, a report by MPs has claimed.
The report by the Public Accounts Committee said that the failure of the MoD to apply its Smart Acquisition reforms could lead to the cancellation or delay of projects. The MPs warned that this would lead to armed forces having to wait longer to receive vital equipment, or perhaps have to do without it altogether.
The last report by the National Audit Office showed that the cost of the MoD’s 20 largest projects had risen by £4.8 billion in two years and that supply delays had now reached 17 years.
Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, said that “significant improvements” had been made over the last two years. He said: “Delivery of these necessarily complex and technologically demanding programmes is challenging for every country developing cutting edge military technology. But we are continuing to bear down on cost and time overruns and are improving our own performance.”
Lord Grayson said that both he, and Defence Secretary John Reid had made “abundantly clear” to industry that they expected them to “do better” in meeting contractual obligations.
However, Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Michael Moore said: “This is a staggering indictment of the MoD’s procurement policies. It is clearer than ever that the Defence Secretary inherited a mess. But he must now make clear how these vital projects will be rescued. We cannot afford to put our armed forces at risk by cancellation and unacceptable delay.”
(KMcA/SP)
The report by the Public Accounts Committee said that the failure of the MoD to apply its Smart Acquisition reforms could lead to the cancellation or delay of projects. The MPs warned that this would lead to armed forces having to wait longer to receive vital equipment, or perhaps have to do without it altogether.
The last report by the National Audit Office showed that the cost of the MoD’s 20 largest projects had risen by £4.8 billion in two years and that supply delays had now reached 17 years.
Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, said that “significant improvements” had been made over the last two years. He said: “Delivery of these necessarily complex and technologically demanding programmes is challenging for every country developing cutting edge military technology. But we are continuing to bear down on cost and time overruns and are improving our own performance.”
Lord Grayson said that both he, and Defence Secretary John Reid had made “abundantly clear” to industry that they expected them to “do better” in meeting contractual obligations.
However, Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Michael Moore said: “This is a staggering indictment of the MoD’s procurement policies. It is clearer than ever that the Defence Secretary inherited a mess. But he must now make clear how these vital projects will be rescued. We cannot afford to put our armed forces at risk by cancellation and unacceptable delay.”
(KMcA/SP)
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