Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 April 2022 to Question 148053, on Defence Business Services: Blackpool, which other sites were considered; and if he will define and explain the process of down selection in that case.

The down selection to a recommended option went through a two-stage process, with four headline options: Option 1 - Do minimum (Benchmark Option), staff remaining in their current locations with Cheadle Hulme staff relocated locally to alternative privately leased accommodation; Option 2 - Consolidate at Manchester; Option 3 - Consolidate at Liverpool; Option 4 - Consolidate at Blackpool.

At the end of Stage One in May 2021 the Manchester options were discounted as the most expensive and not demonstrating value for money.

Blackpool was down selected as the preferred option at the end of Stage Two in September 2021, by comparing the qualitative benefits and through life costs of potential sites based on several factors, including lease and set up costs, ease of transition, and compliance against the Statement of Requirement.