'˜Uncertainty' over MoD reforms putting military capability at '˜risk'

According to a highly-critical report by Parliament’s powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Ministry of Defence is yet to develop a clear strategy to turn around years of underinvestment and poor maintenance of its facilities, despite announcing plans for an “ambitious” modernisation programme.

The damning findings come as local campaigners continue to challenge MoD plans to close the historic Imphal barracks in York, with Labour MP Rachael Maskell arguing there is a “strong case” for the facility to remain in the city.

It also comes as the Government faces calls to increase defence spending to 3 percent of GDP, after a former armed forces chief branded the current state of security funding as “woefully inadequate”.

The latest PAC report is a response to developments with the MoD’s Better Defence Estate strategy, following the announcement of further military site closures last autumn. First outlined in the 2015 Strategic Defence Review, the strategy aims to create a more “modern” and “efficient” estate, while freeing up land for housebuilding.

The programme is seen as an important part of the Ministry’s efforts to cut running costs, with the department facing an £8.5bn funding blackhole by 2050. It is expected to see the MoD estate reduced by 30 percent by 2040, with Imphal and Queen Elizabeth barracks in York among dozens of military sites in line for closure or sale.

PAC members have broadly welcomed these moves as a “significant step” toward the creation of more affective and cost-efficient facilities after years of “steady decline” in the overall condition of the defence estate.

But they warn that the department’s plans to implement these reforms “are still subject to considerable uncertainty”, while the need for further savings poses “continuing risks to both military capability and value for money”.

Following up on a previous report on the state of accommodation for service personnel and their family, the committee goes on to conclude that maintenance is improving but highlights “uncertainty” around future provision. It warns this could have an impact on staff morale, as well as retention and recruitment.

Responding to the reports findings, Ms Maskell agreed it is important for the Government to review its assets “and ensure that they are being run effectively”. But speaking to The Yorkshire Post, she criticised the MoD for failing to carry out a social and economic impact assessment before reaching a decision to close the barracks at Imphal.

“With over 1400 military and civilian jobs situated at the Barracks in York, this preliminary work is yet to be undertaken,” she said. “And there is a strong case to be made that the Barracks should remain in York, due to the far greater benefit that York brings to Armed Forces families, the Army’s retention rates and the country.”

The report’s publication follows an intervention by the former RAF marshall Lord Stirrup, as he urged ministers to increase defence spending to 3 percent of GDP. Speaking yesterday, he described the current level of funding as “woefully inadequate” in light of international threats.