Ministry of Defence Procurement: Accountability

Lord Houghton of Richmond Excerpts

Wednesday 29th March 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

I agree with my noble friend on both points. On his second question, rigorous accountability and management will of course be critical to such a large-scale project. However, I see the AUKUS announcement as very good news, both in strengthening our ties with allies and partners and for the domestic defence industry in the United Kingdom.

[Lord Houghton of Richmond (CB)]

My Lords, the MoD is always an easy target for this sort of Question, so I will offer some balance. Some waste is undoubtedly both culpable and measurable; some waste is also defensible in the context of bringing into service small numbers of highly complex weapons systems. But how much waste derives from the inability of successive Governments to provide a long-term, stable settlement for defence, against which an affordable programme can be planned?

[Lord Harlech (Con)]

The noble and gallant Lord speaks from great experience in this subject. As the House will be aware, in response to the integrated review refresh there will be a £5 billion uplift over the next two years, of which £1.95 billion will be directed to help replenish stockpiles and to invest in wider resilience, and £3 billion is committed to modernise the UK’s nuclear enterprise for the next phase of the AUKUS programme.