Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 111
Introduce budget uplift or prioritisation ranking for Armed Forces commitments via National Security Council
Recommendation
Despite the Secretary of State’s insistence that the UK Armed Forces still have sufficient capacity to deploy in response to world events, we remain to be convinced. We are concerned that the breadth of ministerial requirements is in danger of pushing the Armed Forces far beyond what is sustainable. We recommend that either a budget uplift or a (strictly adhered to) prioritisation ranking is introduced. Any prioritisation ranking adopted needs to be drawn up within the National Security Council to ensure Ready for War? 55 agreement amongst the Prime Minister, Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, given that all of those Departments play a role in determining and enabling the deployment of UK Armed Forces.
Government Response Summary
The government stated it is taking forward work to balance the Global Operate programme with Defence Command Paper priorities, continuously reviewing capabilities and utilising the Capability Readiness Assessment Framework, but did not commit to a budget uplift or a new, strictly adhered to prioritisation ranking.
Paragraph Reference:
111
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
readiness. We do this in concert with our Allies through NATO, continuously reviewing our priorities and capability plans to address shortfalls we have identified. As an example, the lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War have led to a re-evaluation of previous assumptions around capabilities and readiness. Until now the demands on the Department have allowed for the Global Operate programme to continue at pace. However, given the threat to Euro-Atlantic has increased, and the Department must now be more focused on warfighting readiness. The Department is taking forward work on balancing the Global Operate programme with delivery of the Priority Outcomes as detailed in the Defence Command Paper 23. In terms of readiness, the single Services classify military forces as being held at different levels of preparedness to respond to short- and long-term needs. At the heart of this work is the continuing evolution of the Capability Readiness Assessment Framework (CRAF). The CRAF process is intended to inform key 3* decision making forums and it should be optimised to support Balance of Investment work, informing options to prioritise spend and optimise capability in the 1–2 year horizon; support the Operational Policy and Requirements Group, informing options to rescope Defence ambition or change Defence priorities in the 0–1 year horizon; support the delivery of the Global Operate Programme, including the delivery of routine military strategic balance assessments and support the staffing of Defence Board Risks. In tandem, Defence Design is undertaking a review of our Defence Operating Model, one aspiration for this is for the Department to is better able to achieve the outcomes we have prioritised.