The NAO has today issued a supplementary report on the Carrier
Strike project, having been given access to briefing papers held by
the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.
As a result of its examination of this documentation, the NAO
has revised the relevant part of its original value for money
conclusion on the project, concluding now that the strategic policy
decision to refocus investment in both the carriers and the linked
combat aircraft was well-informed.
Today's report notes that it will become apparent whether the
Ministry of Defence can secure value for money in implementing the
strategic policy decision only when the Department fully develops
and costs detailed delivery plans to support robust investment
decisions, probably in late 2012.
The NAO had been denied access to the briefing papers when
preparing its first report on the project (published in July 2011).
Following concerns raised by the Committee of Public Accounts and
in Parliament more generally, the Secretary to the Cabinet wrote to
the NAO in September agreeing that it should have access to four
key National Security papers relating to the Strategic Defence and
Security Review decisions on Carrier Strike. The papers examined
the implications for affordability, military capability and
interoperability with allies of each option and were supported by
detailed analyses of the industrial implications and the choice
between retaining Harrier or Tornado aircraft.
Publication details:
HC: 1657, 2010-2012
ISBN: 9780102976977