This Departmental Overview is one of 17 we have produced covering our work on each major government department. It summarises our work on the Ministry of Defence during 2010-2011.
The NAO has conducted an investigation into DFID’s approach to tackling fraud, following an increase in the potential risks after the government committed to spend 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid.
The NAO has published its report on the 2010-11 accounts of the Ministry of Defence.
This report examines the MoD’s progress implementing digital transformation.
Changes to the aircraft carrier project in the 2010 defence review will save £3.4 billion but leave the UK without carrier capability for nine years.
This memorandum has been prepared to support the Committee of Public Accounts’ consideration of the Ministry of Defence’s provision of accommodation to its service personnel.
The Ministry of Defence, under pressure to make rapid financial savings, is significantly reducing the size of its workforce, by over 54,000 personnel. A report today by the National Audit Office has found that these reductions are happening in advance of the Department’s fully understanding how it will operate with significantly fewer staff.
The suspension and cancellation of a number of key armoured vehicle projects since the 1998 defence review has resulted in the Armed Forces facing a significant shortage in the principal armoured vehicles they require, until at least 2024-2025.
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.
89% of Ukrainian troops trained this year by the British Army under Operation Interflex felt better equipped to survive on the battlefield.
The cost of each Typhoon aircraft has risen by 75 per cent. While Typhoon performs some defence tasks now, it won’t take on all roles until 2018.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, has today qualified the accounts of the Community Legal Service Fund and the Criminal Defence Service because of errors in payments to legal aid providers.
Significant annual savings worth tens of billions of pounds are available through improving public sector productivity, the head of the NAO will say.
The public spending watchdog has estimated that the government’s maintenance backlog is at least £49 billion.
The MOD, one of the largest landowners in the UK, has strengthened its estate planning and achieved significant receipts from disposal of property. However, the changes are not yet sufficient to drive value for money for the taxpayer rigorously.
The Ministry of Defence does not place sufficient emphasis on financial management in its decision making. Annual financial plans at the MOD have been over-committed. During 2009-10 the Department had to find additional savings of £800 million to bring its planned expenditure back into line with its budgets.
The NAO has published the findings from its investigation into the acceptance of gifts and hospitality by government officials.
The MOD have been unable to provide evidence to support the existence and value of certain assets and inventory balances. In addition, the Department’s accounting policies are not fully compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, Amyas Morse, has qualified the 2010-11 accounts of the Legal Services Commission.
The Whole of Government Accounts provide a unique perspective owing to their reach and approach to measuring the government’s financial performance and position.