Lacking MoD investment could affect defence capability, says NAO

A report conducted by the National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) failure to invest in its barracks, depots and bases could undermine the Armed Forces' readiness to fight.

In its report, the NAO found that financial pressures had meant the MoD only carried out essential maintenance on its estate since 2009 which had led to a ‘steady decline’ in its overall condition.

It said: "There is a significant risk that the poor condition of the estate will affect the department's ability to provide the defence capability needed.

"The estate is an important element of defence capability, enabling the armed forces to train and undertake operations, and providing accommodation for personnel and their families.

"The department's inability to invest sufficient funds may jeopardise the delivery of new and existing capabilities."

The report highlighted a series of problems which had risen as a result of the MoD’s failure to invest properly in its services: in Portsmouth, there was a lack of funding to replace 80-year-old power cables to the port which could affect the ability of its two new £6.2 billion aircraft
carriers to operate from the base; failure to fix a leaking roof at RAF Valley, Anglesey, meant the roof had to be replaced even thought the building is due to be demolished when a replacement building is completed; the Army was not able to keep its military vehicles at ‘high readiness’ at one of its main depots in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire because of a lack of investment; and at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, home to the air-to-air refuelling fleet, infrastructure had to be closed down for safety reasons and a temporary fuel facility installed because of a lack of maintenance.

The report concluded: "The risks to military capability from the estate will continue unless further actions are taken to address the shortfall in funding to sustain the estate."