Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Defence Equipment Plan

27 February 2020 · Ministry of Defence

Proposed by Ben Wallace Con Wyre and Preston North

Defence

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Mr Ben Wallace is presenting the 2019 financial summary of the Defence Equipment Plan
  • The minister announces the need for reviews to ensure effective allocation of the defence budget
  • The review will consider emerging technologies and improvements in acquisition processes

Issue summary

Mr Ben Wallace is presenting the 2019 financial summary of the Defence Equipment Plan to address the intensifying threats to the UK.

Action requested

The minister announces the need for difficult choices and reviews of equipment plans to ensure effective allocation of the defence budget. The review will consider emerging technologies and improvements in acquisition processes, while also responding to Public Accounts Committee recommendations and addressing financial shortfalls.

Key facts

  • Defence Equipment Plan financial summary placed in the Library of the House.
  • Threats to UK are intensifying and diversifying.
  • Financial shortfall reduced from £7 billion to £2.9 billion or 1.6% of equipment budget.
  • Government committed £1.6 billion additional spending for Defence and a further £2.2 billion in Spending Round 2019.
  • Prime Minister granted a £2.2 billion uplift at the last Spending Review.
  • Integrated Security, Defence & Foreign Policy Review will re-examine equipment plans.
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