The Major Projects Report 2011: Ministry of Defence

HC 1520-I, Volume I: Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Session 2010-12

Author:

National Audit Office (NAO)

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £21.25

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'The Major Projects Report (HC 1520-I)' indicates action taken by the Ministry of Defence to balance its overall budget in the short term following the Strategic Defence and Security Review has contributed to a near £500 million in-year cost increase in the 15 largest defence projects.

When coupled with previous cost growth, these projects are now £6 billion above the forecasts made when the main investment decisions were taken. For the third successive year, central planning decisions taken by the Department, including project delays, have had the biggest impact on cost growth, accounting for £237 million of the increase. Of this, £113 million relates to decisions to enhance capability. Macro-economic factors, such as adverse foreign exchange rates, accounted for £176 million of the increase. Cost overruns from project-specific technical issues accounted for £53 million.

During 2010-11, there was a total increase of 30 months (with an average two months per project) in the forecast time to complete these projects and bring them into service. This brings the total delay on all 15 projects to 26.8 years. Long-term cost analysis by the NAO has shown that the difference between the approved and forecast costs of all projects which have had their main investment decision approved since 2000 is £10.6 billion (an 11.4% increase).

Additional costs have been avoided by reducing the amount of equipment the Department originally planned to buy. Had the Department not reduced equipment numbers, cost growth could have been between £18.2 billion and £19.4 billion (approximately 20%) above the approved costs.

Extent	70 pages	ISBN	9780102976786
Size	A4	Price	£21.25
Format	Paperback	Published	16 Nov 2011
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges