A Short Guide to the Ministry of Defence
Published on:The NAO is publishing a suite of short guides, one for each government department, to assist House of Commons Select Committees.
The NAO is publishing a suite of short guides, one for each government department, to assist House of Commons Select Committees.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we are producing covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Ministry of Defence during 2013-14.
The Ministry of Defence has made significant improvements in its management of and accounting for assets held on its inventory systems. However, the Department recognizes that it still faces significant challenges.
The Department has made good progress since we last reported on Carrier Strike, however it still has a lot to do to meet its targets at the end of 2020.
The risks to the affordability of the Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan are greater than at any point since reporting began in 2012.
This memorandum has been prepared to support the Committee of Public Accounts’ consideration of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) provision of accommodation to its service personnel.
MOD’s procurement budget is now more stable, despite a £754m increase in the cost of the carriers, but there are still risks to the affordability of the equipment plan.
This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we are producing covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Ministry of Defence during 2012-13.
Review of a sample of the data systems underpinning the input and impact indicators in the Ministry of Defence’s Business Plan, Common Areas of Spend and wider management information.
This review was carried out on the 2012-15 Business Plan. Revised Business Plans were issued in June 2013.
Amyas Morse, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), has qualified his audit opinion on the MOD’s 2012-13 accounts.
This Departmental Overview is one of 15 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Ministry of Defence during 2011-2012.
Amyas Morse, the Comptroller and Auditor General, has qualified his audit opinion on the 2012-13 Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum accounts in relation to the part of the Museum staff’s pay award for which it did not have ministerial approval.
There have been some encouraging signs of improvement in the robustness of the approvals process in recent years but there remain a number of areas where a greater focus would add value.
MOD has made good progress stabilising the equipment programme but needs to set out how a bespoke trading entity will transform Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) into the leading defence acquisition organisation by 2017.
We estimate that the MOD made £253 million of savings on inventory purchases in 2012 as a result of our recommendations.
This NAO impacts case study represents one example where there has been some beneficial change, whether financial or non-financial, resulting from our involvement.
The MoD’s Equipment Plan appears more stable than last year and progress has been maintained, but the Department will need to remain vigilant with regard to future cost increases.
There are signs MOD has begun to make trade-offs with cost, time and technical requirements. But some major projects still suffer cost rises and delay.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has again refused to sign off the financial accounts of the Ministry of Defence.
Government continues to make good progress in implementing the Programme. It must, however increase the pace of change in some areas in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Review of a sample of the data systems underpinning the input and impact indicators in the Ministry of Defence’s Business Plan, Common Areas of Spend and wider management information.