12 May 20. Defence Committee launches its inquiry into Defence’s contribution to the UK’s pandemic response. The Defence Committee is today launching an inquiry into the nature of the Armed Forces’ contribution to the ongoing effort against the coronavirus pandemic. The inquiry will focus on the military’s preparedness and resilience, the nature and effectiveness of the Armed Forces’ support of civilian authorities during the pandemic, and the pressure that directing focus towards the pandemic places on our forces.
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is the greatest and most immediate threat this country currently faces. This inquiry will investigate the integral role of military organisations at times of acute crises such as these. Alongside others, the Armed Forces have helped lead the charge and fought on the frontline in our battle against this devastating, destructive and invisible enemy. From helping to build the Nightingale hospitals, to facilitating testing, the Armed Forces have been unhesitating and unwavering in their contribution to the heroic effort against coronavirus. It is vital that we take this opportunity to reflect on the nature of Defence’s contribution at all levels including Cabinet level-strategic planning, local resilience efforts and support taskings including transport and logistics. The one department that plans for times of crisis and contains the personnel who are trained in strategic planning is the Ministry of Defence. We must understand if all its assets were fully utilised to assist at every level in this enduring crisis and if directing the military’s focus towards the pandemic leaves us vulnerable and erodes our ability to respond to other threats from adversaries. We must also confront the question of whether the global distraction of this pandemic is providing space for our adversaries and competitors to further their own avaricious agendas. Fortunately, pandemics of this scale and magnitude strike only rarely. However, the lessons we learn from coronavirus can be applied more broadly, helping to shape our understanding of the military’s wider position and response to threats and national emergencies.”
The Committee will hear evidence on a number of issues covering:
- The Armed Forces’ resilience and UK preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic
- The role of the UK Armed Forces in supporting civilian authorities in the response to coronavirus and national resilience more generally
- Evaluation of Defence contributions to specific activities/requirements during Covid-19 response
- How the MoD has ensured that adversaries do not take advantage of crisis in the short-term
The full terms of reference will be published on Committee’s website
This inquiry will not be examining the longer-term implications of the pandemic for UK Defence. The Committee will look to address these in due course.
12 May 20. Publication of correspondence with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Armed Forces’ use of insect repellent as protection against coronavirus. The Defence Committee has received a response from the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, to a letter sent from the Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, asking for clarification following reports that the insect repellent Citriodiol is being used by the Armed Forces as protection against coronavirus. The response confirmed that “enhanced Force Health Protection Measures have been introduced” and that a Citriodiol-based spray has been issued to “each of the 10 Joint Military Commands, which have been delegated the authority to provide to their personnel wherever required.”
The letter explains that “the Surgeon General advised that, albeit in lieu of conclusive research, Citriodiol would do no harm and should be used on a precautionary basis, as an additional layer of protection against exposure to COVID-19.”
Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said: “I’m pleased to have received a response from the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, as well as the promise of further updates, following reports that the insect repellent Citriodiol is being tested on our troops. The Defence Committee looks forward to hearing more from the Department and hopes that any research on the effectiveness of Citriodiol is shared with key institutions and the public as we continue our fight against coronavirus.”
The original correspondence sent from Chair of the Defence Committee to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State’s response have been published on the Defence Committee’s website.
12 May 20. Poor contracting at MoD leaves taxpayer shouldering ballooning costs of defence nuclear infrastructure projects. In a report published today, Wednesday 13 May 2020, the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee says the Ministry of Defence has left the taxpayer to shoulder huge cost increases due to the MoD’s poor contract design and management.
The MoD said it “immensely regretted” the huge waste of taxpayers’ money, which was caused by poor management of three nuclear infrastructure projects, resulting in a combined cost increase of £1.35bn and with delays of between 1.7 and 6.3 years.
The department also admits that costs could keep rising, as its poor contract design has left the taxpayer to assume financial risk, while doing little to incentivise contractors to improve their performance.
The report finds, as the department itself admitted, that the risks associated with nuclear programmes, civil or military, are too large for private companies, and must be managed by the department, regardless of whether it owns the relevant sites or not.
The MoD was unable to explain why it has repeated past mistakes – many of which have been repeatedly commEnted on by the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee for more than 30 years – and has failed to learn lessons from comparable projects in the civil nuclear sector and in the United States. The MoD accepted that it must not operate in the same way in the future.
The Committee heard evidence on three of the most significant projects under construction:
– the AWE plc project MENSA at Burghfield (forecast cost £1.8bn, completion 2023), where the Department is building a new nuclear warhead assembly and disassembly facility
– the Rolls Royce owned and operated Core Production Capability facilities at Raynesway (forecast cost £474m, completion 2026), where the Department is replacing facilities so it can produce the latest nuclear reactor core designs
– the BAE Systems-owned Barrow shipyard facility (forecast cost £240m, completion 2022) to allow modular build of Dreadnought-class submarines
Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “ To utterly fail to learn from mistakes over decades, to spectacularly repeat the same mistakes at huge cost to the taxpayer – and at huge cost to confidence in our defence capabilities – is completely unacceptable. We see too often these same mistakes repeated. The Department knows it can’t go on like this, it knows it must change and operate differently. The test now is to see how it will do that, and soon.
“We expect the MoD to report to us later this year, in its 2020 update on the Dreadnought nuclear submarine programme, on how it is working with industry and other departments to develop and keep in place the skills it badly needs to take forward nuclear work. We also expect a detailed assessment, of whether the current ownership arrangements for nuclear regulated sites are in the best interests of the taxpayer, to be provided to us by the end of this year.” Committee Member X said: “
PAC Conclusions and recommendations
- The Department’s nuclear infrastructure projects have suffered from major cost increases and delays. This was caused in large part by avoidable mistakes, such as beginning construction work without mature designs. The three projects will not be delivered to the original plans, will be delayed by between 1.7 and 6.3 years, and will cost a total of £1.35bn more than originally planned. In particular, MENSA had seen a cost increase of £1.07bn. Some of these cost increases were the result of poor planning decisions and were avoidable. For example, 48% of the total increased costs and nearly £400m for MENSA was a result of construction starting before requirements or designs were sufficiently clear, which was time-consuming and costly to subsequently rectify. The Department states that it immensely regrets the amount of taxpayers’ money lost, but acknowledges that costs could continue to increase. It notes that similar projects in other countries had also gone over budget, because of the unique complexity, scale and safety standard requirements of nuclear projects. It states that the big lesson from these experiences was the crucial necessity for proper planning before starting to build.
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Procurement
42923
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total amount of foreign exchange rate losses attached to MOD defence programmes was in the last financial year.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 13 May 2020
As has been longstanding policy under successive Governments the Ministry of Defence buys forward foreign exchange using forward purchase contracts agreed with the Bank of England. The impact of this is that foreign exchange movements are smoothed over time.
Taking the last financial year in isolation, the volatility in exchange rates resulted in an increase of circa £200 million, this is part of normal Departmental business to manage.
Q
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian
Asked on: 30 April 2020
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Yemen: Peace Negotiations
HL3791
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in concluding a comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement in Yemen.
A
Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 12 May 2020
The UK welcomes the unilateral ceasefire announced by Saudi Arabia on 8 April following the call on 25 March by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a cease to hostilities in Yemen. To ensure the success of this ceasefire, it must be underpinned by a political deal between the conflict parties. We fully support the efforts of the Secretary-General and the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths’s call for all parties to engage in urgent political talks and de-escalate the conflict. Now that the Saudi unilateral ceasefire has been extended it is more important than ever that both the Houthis and the Government of Yemen seize this opportunity for progress in Yemen. A permanent ceasefire and co-operation with the UN-led political process is the best defence we have against a potentially devastating outbreak of COVID-19.
Q
Asked by Dr Luke Evans
(Bosworth)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Protective Clothing: Coronavirus
42197
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance on the use of personal protective equipment has been issued to the armed forces when conducting covid-19 testing at mobile units; and what steps he is taking to ensure that guidance is followed.
A
Answered by: James Heappey
Answered on: 12 May 2020
Guidance on the wearing of covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) by personnel has been issued, including for armed forces personnel conducting covid-19 testing at mobile units. This guidance is coherent with Public Health England direction.
Staff from the Standing Joint Command Defence Medical Services are responsible for assuring measures to protect Defence workforce in collaboration with the requesting agency (DHSC), who provide the PPE and introductory training. Commanders on the ground maintain standards and ensure that guidance is followed.
Q
Asked by Andrea Jenkyns
(Morley and Outwood)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Military Bases: Coronavirus
42121
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to minimise the spread of covid-19 on UK military bases overseas.
A
Answered by: James Heappey
Answered on: 12 May 2020
The Ministry of Defence has stringent measures in place to safeguard our people and reduce the risks to them and their families on UK Bases. Many of our people – both civilian and military – are working from home and where they to come into work, we have adjusted their working environment to meet Public Health England’s (PHE) guidelines. Furthermore, we have taken all reasonable precautions to ensure that the PHE’s guidelines on social distancing, self-isolation protocols, the cleaning of communal areas and personal hygiene are adhered to. Defence personnel are included in the national testing programme.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Maritime Patrol Aircraft: Procurement
41919
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 60 of the Defence Equipment Plan 2019, published on 27 February 2020, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of the P-8 contract from £2.392 billion to £2.203 billion.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 12 May 2020
The approved cost for delivery of the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft project is £2.392 billion. However, at the point when the information for the Defence Equipment Plan 2019 was prepared, the forecast cost of the project was £2.203 billion. A robust project management regime is in place which enables the financial forecast to be revised and refined as the project progresses through its lifecycle and more detail becomes known, for example as actual costs replace expected ones.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 06 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Type 45 Destroyers
43846
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost of the Type 45 Upkeep 2020 programme was (a) in total and (b) by sub-system (i) Sampson upgrade, (ii) LRR upgrade, and (iii) PIP project.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 12 May 2020
The total overall cost of the Type 45 Destroyer Upkeep programme in Financial Year 2019-20 was approximately £38.5 million. There were no upgrades to either the Sampson or Long Range Radar systems. However, the cost of planned routine overhaul of these systems amounted to some £400,000.
The Power Improvement Project is not part of the Upkeep programme, but expenditure on the project during Financial Year 2019-20 amounted to some £11.6 million.
Q
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
Asked on: 28 April 2020
Ministry of Defence
Warships: Shipbuilding
HL3566
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether surface warship and submarine shipbuilding is continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A
Answered by: Baroness Goldie
Answered on: 11 May 2020
It is crucial that defence operations and programmes, on which our national security relies, continue uninterrupted. We are working closely with our industry partners to ensure that essential work in the shipyards continues while adhering to the latest safety guidelines to protect the workforce.
Where specific work is required, instructions have been implemented locally by management to confirm that due consideration and briefing has been put in place to manage the risk in an appropriate way, protect employees and ensure priority activities are still undertaken as far as is possible.
Q
Asked by Andrea Jenkyns
(Morley and Outwood)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Submarines: Coronavirus
42123
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to minimise the risk of covid-19 amongst personnel in the Royal Navy Submarine Service.
A
Answered by: James Heappey
Answered on: 11 May 2020
Mitigation measures are being put in place to minimise the risk of COVID-19 onboard a submarine and to maintain the health and wellbeing of their ships’ companies. The Submarine Service is following Public Health England (PHE) guidelines where practical for all personnel and, to reduce the risk of transmission, further emphasis is being placed on the cleaning of communal areas and personal hygiene. Measures have been introduced prior to sailing which involve the whole ship’s company quarantining onboard the submarine. In addition, personnel who are, or whose households are, symptomatic will be isolated before embarking, in accordance with PHE self-isolation guidelines.
Any individual who experiences symptoms while at sea will isolate onboard in accordance with PHE guidelines and receive the appropriate medical attention, until either recovery is established or they can be safely removed and returned to shore.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
AWACS
41916
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the five E-7 Wedgetails are planned to enter service.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
Under the contract, the first of the RAF’s fleet of E-7 Wedgetail aircraft is due to enter service with the RAF in 2023 with the final aircraft in the fleet entering service in late 2025 or early 2026.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 01 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
AWACS
41917
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the final assembly of his Department’s five E7 Wedgetails is planned to be conducted.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
Boeing is finalising contractual arrangements for final assembly to ensure that the five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft ordered by the RAF can be delivered and converted for their military role in the UK.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Navy: Procurement
42921
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the main budget headings are for the £9 billion increase in ship procurement in the Defence and Equipment Plan 2019-2029; and if he will make a comparative assessment of those budget headings by project in the Defence and Equipment Plan 2018-2028 and 2019-2029.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
The Ministry of Defence is unable to identify a £9 billion increase for ship procurement from the 2018 and 2019 Equipment Plan reports.
The total equipment budget for Navy Command (by Top Level Budget) reduced from £32.5 billion to £30.9 billion during the period covered by these reports (primarily reflecting an accounting adjustment in the allocation of support costs for Naval Bases), and the equipment budget for the Ships Operating Centre also reduced from £19.5 billion to £19.3 billion.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Apache AH-64 Helicopters
42924
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that support workshare for the Boeing AH-64 Apache was awarded domestically.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
An initial two-year package of support is being provided as part of the Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Government for the Apache AH-64E. Beyond that, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has stated its intent, wherever possible, to contract with the Boeing Company’s UK entity, Boeing Defence UK (BDUK), for the Apache AH-64E long term training and support service (LTTSS) contract. The MOD is currently negotiating with BDUK over delivery of the LTTSS. This is expected to generate further sub-contracting opportunities for UK-based companies in due course.
Following an initial transitional phase, it is planned that all aircrew and maintainer training will be undertaken in the UK. The aircraft depth maintenance facility is also planned to be established in the UK, including engine overhaul, which would represent an increase in UK workshare over the current in-service Apache engine maintenance arrangements where engine overhaul activity is divided between the UK and France.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
[N]
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
42926
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what savings measures his Department has undertaken to reduce the complete costs of the UK’s F-35b fleet from £9.134 billion to £8.538 billion.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
The reduction in cost has resulted from measures taken throughout the programme to reduce aircraft procurement and flying costs. The UK continues to work closely with our partner nations, as part of the US-led F-35 global programme, to identify efficiencies and drive down programme costs.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Warships: Sales
42927
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the contribution to the public purse was from the sale of HMS Quorn to Lithuania.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
£1 million will be received by the Department from the Lithuanian Government for the sale of HMS QUORN. There will also be additional income generated from the sale of the sonar system. No upgrades will be undertaken prior to the sale. Defence Equipment and Support is conducting a competition for a refurbishment package on behalf of the Lithuanian Government. This competition is compliant with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations.
Grouped Questions: 42928 | 42929
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 04 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Warships: Sales
42928
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what upgrades will be carried to HMS Quorn prior to its sale to Lithuania.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
£1 million will be received by the Department from the Lithuanian Government for the sale of HMS QUORN. There will also be additional income generated from the sale of the sonar system. No upgrades will be undertaken prior to the sale. Defence Equipment and Support is conducting a competition for a refurbishment package on behalf of the Lithuanian Government. This competition is compliant with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations.
Q
Asked by Mr Kevan Jones
(North Durham)
Asked on: 05 May 2020
Ministry of Defence
Defence: Economic Situation
43603
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to bring programmes forward to support UK prosperity, jobs, and export opportunities.
A
Answered by: Jeremy Quin
Answered on: 11 May 2020
The Ministry of Defence has rigorous processes to assure, test and develop the capabilities and force structure that we have to make sure that they are robust against current and future threats. An important part of this is consideration is the UK industries that provide these capabilities. We are in constant conversation with industry to work together through this crisis and ensure that we manage delivery of our programmes in a way that supports our economic prosperity andthe continued needs of our Armed Forces.