1
Conclusion
Twentieth Report - Optimising the defen…
Not Addressed
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Defence on optimising the defence estate.1
Government response AI summary
The government's response describes the procedural context of the committee's report and the government's submission, without addressing any specific content from the committee's conclusion.
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HM Treasury
28
Conclusion
Twentieth Report - Optimising the defen…
Not Addressed
The Department told us that an additional £740 million funding over the next four years was allocated to infrastructure investment in the 2020 Spending Review, which will enable it to address estate priorities and move more of the estate onto a preventive maintenance regime.42 In June 2021, it also let …
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The Department told us that an additional £740 million funding over the next four years was allocated to infrastructure investment in the 2020 Spending Review, which will enable it to address estate priorities and move more of the estate onto a preventive maintenance regime.42 In June 2021, it also let new estate maintenance contracts – with a value of more than £2 billion during the next seven years. However, we remain concerned that the Department risks repeating the failed approach we have seen on previous contracts. The Department told us that unlike previously, these contracts use industry standard specifications. It thinks that this, together with a new monitoring regime and establishing incentives to improve armed forces’ satisfaction with their accommodation, will result in faster and better performance, although it could not offer an absolute guarantee.43
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Government response AI summary
The government response repeats the committee's conclusion verbatim, outlining new funding and maintenance contracts while reiterating the committee's concerns about repeating past failures.
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HM Treasury
29
Conclusion
Twentieth Report - Optimising the defen…
Not Addressed
The Department continues to grapple with a range of estate-related projects. The pilots of the Future Accommodation Model have been delayed, and it remains uncertain whether the outcome will provide service personnel with what they want, especially post-COVID.44 The Department remains in the midst of arbitration to renegotiate its contract …
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The Department continues to grapple with a range of estate-related projects. The pilots of the Future Accommodation Model have been delayed, and it remains uncertain whether the outcome will provide service personnel with what they want, especially post-COVID.44 The Department remains in the midst of arbitration to renegotiate its contract with Annington Homes to agree a reasonable level of rent, which process will not be resolved until the end of the 2021–22 financial year.45 The Department also needs to ensure an orderly exit from other PFI arrangements as they end over the next five 37 Qq 6 and 22; C&AG’s Report, paras 19 and 3.26 38 Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Annual Report on Major Projects 2020–21, July 2021 39 Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Annual Report on Major Projects 2020–21, July 2021 40 Q 78 41 Qq 28, 29 and 31, C&AG’s Report, paras 2 and 1.18 42 Q 29, 47 to 49; letter dated 19 July 2021 from Permanent Secretary to the Committee 43 Qq 78, 79 and 89; letter dated 19 July 2021 from Permanent Secretary to the Committee 44 Q 76 45 Qq 1 to 3 Optimising the defence estate 15 years. It acknowledged that it must make better use of the sites provided by these relatively expensive arrangements so that personnel benefit from their better condition and support measures.46 46 Q 25 16 Optimising the defence estate
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Government response AI summary
The government response repeats the committee's conclusion verbatim, detailing the department's ongoing challenges with estate-related projects, delays, and arbitration.
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HM Treasury