Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Ajax Noise and Vibration Review

15 December 2021 · 13 other contributors

Opened by Jeremy Quin Con Wellingborough

Defence

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jeremy Quin raised concerns about ajax noise and vibration review in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister made a statement updating the House on the Ajax project, an important investment in British Army operations.
  • The Ajax project is part of a 41 billion modernisation effort over the next decade.
  • A report on health and safety issues related to noise and vibration has been highlighted.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Jeremy Quin

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement updating the House on Ajax, an important capability and vital step-change in British Army operations. The £41 billion investment over the next decade includes Ajax as part of a modernisation effort addressing future threats. This announcement follows serious concerns about project progress since 2010, leading to ministerial oversight and a report on health and safety issues raised by noise and vibration. The report highlights complex systemic failings in processes that prioritised cost and time over safety, resulting in personnel exposure to potential harm from vehicles with excessive levels of noise and vibration above statutory limits. General Dynamics UK is responsible for design and build, but the Ministry failed to act on multiple warnings. Twenty recommendations were made by the review, all accepted except three needing careful consideration. The MOD has a robust contract with GDUK for 589 vehicles at £5.5 billion, protecting commercial interests while not accepting unfit-for-purpose vehicles. Testing continues and new measures are being implemented to ensure safety and operational readiness.

Other contributors (13)
  • John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough

    Question

    What compensation have individuals received for hearing loss? Will there be a report on wider issues of military duty limitations due to noise exposure?

    Minister reply

    Forty personnel declined assessments, but the majority returned to duty with no health impact. As of December 9th, 17 remain under care for their hearing, some expected to return without long-term restrictions; eleven have limitations on future duties, including four previously unexposed individuals.

  • John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough

    Question

    Has anyone been fired or demoted for the Ajax failings? Have any responsible parties been promoted?

    Minister reply

    The minister did not explicitly address firing, demoting, or promoting officials but emphasised addressing systemic cultural issues to prevent such failures.

  • John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough

    Question

    When did the Defence Secretary first know about Ajax flaws? What actions were taken?

    Minister reply

    The minister did not provide specific dates or actions by the Defence Secretary but highlighted ongoing efforts to resolve issues through further review and cultural changes within procurement processes.

  • John Healey Lab Rawmarsh and Conisbrough

    Question

    The shadow Secretary of State welcomes transparency but criticises lack of accountability, asking for compensation details for affected personnel and numbers of those with noise-induced restrictions. He also queries why the Defence Secretary did not investigate Ajax flaws when known since 2018.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges issues from November 2020, stating prompt action was taken by Ministers to ensure transparency through a commissioned report, which aims at learning facts rather than apportioning blame. Emphasises the need for cultural change within MOD and commitment to resolving systematic failures.

  • Tobias Ellwood

    Question

    The Chair of the Defence Committee commends ministerial focus but criticises Ajax's 'mess' and the integrated review's dishonesty in hiding problems. He questions the operational suboptimality caused by cuts to armoured vehicles.

    Minister reply

    Thanking Tobias Ellwood for his comments, Jeremy Quin highlights the £41 billion investment into equipment and support for the Army over ten years, with a focus on procurement via Ajax for critical ground reconnaissance. The Minister commits to ensuring all facts are available before making decisions.

  • Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens

    Question

    The MP thanks the Minister for advance sight of his statement, criticising the Ajax programme as a strategically important equipment failure with numerous management control issues leading to a £5.5 billion defence procurement fiasco. He highlights technical failures in the vehicle design and poor quality management, questioning who will take responsibility for the failure and what is the future of the programme.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledges the hon. Gentleman’s detailed points but emphasises that technical issues are not within the scope of the health and safety report. He mentions ongoing work on the matter including Millbrook trials, and discusses a transformed relationship with General Dynamics at a senior level.

  • John Redwood

    Question

    The MP asks if the Minister guarantees that remedial costs will not fall to taxpayers under the fixed-price contract.

    Minister reply

    The Minister assures that there is a £5.5 billion firm-priced contract for 589 vehicles and no reason why the taxpayer should pay more, as it is covered by the contract.

  • John Spellar

    Question

    The MP congratulates the Minister on identifying departmental failings but criticises the report's lack of clarity on deadlines for project success or failure and contingency plans.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledges that the vehicle is not fit for purpose now and emphasises ongoing work with General Dynamics. He states decisions will be made after root cause analysis.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Question

    The MP expresses shock at the report, criticising poor human factors design and health and safety issues, asking about accountability measures and contingency plans for capability gaps.

    Minister reply

    The Minister agrees on the shocking nature of the report, acknowledges failures, and confirms ongoing efforts with General Dynamics. He assures there are fall-back positions if Ajax fails to meet requirements.

  • Kevan Jones

    Question

    The MP questions the decision-making timeline for canning the project, inquiring about taxpayer exposure given the £4 billion spent by GDUK.

    Minister reply

    The Minister notes that GD is working on design modifications. He assures that the focus is on getting a vehicle meeting requirements, and mentions the parent guarantee between GDUK and its parent company.

  • Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

    Question

    Complacency in health and safety has led to ordinary working people paying the price. Given that service personnel have been medically downgraded or discharged due to their exposure to Ajax, what measures will be put in place to protect their livelihoods and careers?

    Minister reply

    Four individuals have been discharged and 11 downgraded. While there is no definitive causal link established with Ajax, it may contribute to hearing loss. The safety panels created now ensure a single repository for knowledge and prevent the same issues from re-emerging.

  • Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

    Question

    Pressing the Minister for further details on the timescale for the outcome of the review, along with a commitment to ensure that staff, trade unions, and the company are fully involved in discussions to keep the workforce at Merthyr Tydfil informed.

    Minister reply

    While there is no specific review into General Dynamics, we will continue to work closely with them. The programme has invested heavily and shows great capability. Optimistically looking towards next year for initial operating capability dates and full operating capacity.

Shadow Comment

John Healey

The shadow defence spokesman acknowledges the minister's efforts but criticises the continued failure of Ajax, now described as a 'catastrophe' by the Public Accounts Committee. He highlights that since launching the urgent National Audit Office investigation into Ajax, issues have worsened. The report identifies health and safety failures leading to 17 individuals receiving specialist treatment for hearing loss, with four medically discharged due to noise exposure. Concerns are raised about compensation, wider military duty limitations, and lack of accountability measures such as firing or demoting those responsible. He questions the Defence Secretary's role in these failings and the timing of his knowledge and actions regarding Ajax flaws, especially when committing further resources despite known issues. The shadow demands answers on causes of noise and vibration problems, future plans for Ajax, additional testing costs, contingency plans for Army reconnaissance capabilities, discussions with Welsh Government on job support if Ajax is cancelled, impact on strike brigade deployment, and whether the rapid cuts in Army numbers will be halted pending Ajax resolution.

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