Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Rejected
Department of Defence highlights nuclear budget importance and efforts to improve management.
Conclusion
The Department said the UK’s status as a nuclear nation is crucial for keeping the country safe.64 In 2024–25 the nuclear budget was £10.9 billion, around 18% of the whole defence budget (up from £9.433 billion in 2023–2465). The Department said it was focused on delivering its nuclear programmes effectively and efficiently.66 To achieve this, it has sought to improve its management of the nuclear budget. For example, it can now, with HM Treasury consent, move money between years, which helps to manage the budget effectively, and move some money between programmes to support prioritisation.67 In addition, the Department is exploring opportunities to include more British small and medium-sized enterprises in the DNE’s supply chain.68
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the committee's implicit recommendation for specific DNE financial reporting, stating that DNE financial information is already provided through existing parliamentary processes and will be included in the Defence Investment Plan.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
6.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.2 The annual update to Parliament has never been a vehicle for detailed financial reporting on the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). The government believes it is better to provide DNE financial information as part of wider MOD financial reporting to avoid any risk of inconsistency or misaligned timing of data. Financial information on the DNE is provided, along with financial information relating to wider defence budgeting and spending, in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts and as part of the Parliamentary Estimates process. It is also expected that financial information will be included in the Defence Investment Plan. 6.3 The government is continuing to consider the recommendations made previously by the Public Accounts Committee for a new committee to be set up to scrutinise DNE expenditure.