Select committee: International Relations and Defence Committee
Conclusion 9
1st Report - UK defence policy: from aspiration to reality?
Published 12 Jan 2023
Paragraph 65
International Relations and Defence Committee Defence concepts and capabilities: from aspiration to reality All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The economic assumptions that underpinned the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper have also changed significantly since the documents were published. In particular, we are concerned that with current levels of inflation and foreign exchange rates, the Government may not be able to deliver on the aspirations of the two papers unless further resources are made available. As the Defence Secretary told us, high levels of capital spending mean that the defence budget is particularly vulnerable to inflation.
From: International Relations and Defence Committee, 1st Report - UK defence policy: from aspiration to reality?, paragraph 65, 12 January 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 11 March 2023 (deadline 12 March 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government welcomes the Committee's report but has published a response to only certain recommendations, saying a more detailed response will follow after the Integrated Review update and the Defence Command Paper update.
- It agrees with the Committee's caution on drawing lessons from Ukraine and that more scrutiny is needed, and says it "must be careful not to rush to definitive lessons".
- On weapons stocks, it "notes" the Committee's conclusions and cites contracts already placed for replenishment, but says exact stockpile details are classified and "any further commentary would be inappropriate".
- On inflation and the 3 per cent of GDP marker, it says controls offer "some protection" but "will not cover the full extent of inflationary pressure". Further budget details are to come in the Spring Statement.
- On the Army, it says that "any specific policy changes to the Army will be announced following the update to the DCP".