U.K. Budget Watchdog Slams Cameron’s Move to Cut Back Aircraft Carriers
U.K. Watchdog Slams Cameron Move Cut Back Aircraft Carriers
Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
The watchdog questioned whether government plans to achieve 3.4 billion pounds in savings on aircraft carriers over 10 years can be realized without jeopardizing the capability of the armed forces.
The watchdog questioned whether government plans to achieve 3.4 billion pounds in savings on aircraft carriers over 10 years can be realized without jeopardizing the capability of the armed forces. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Britain’s government spending watchdog criticized Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to scale back plans for new aircraft carriers, saying it raises questions over affordability and loss of expertise in operating the ships.
The London-based National Audit Office said today it sees “risks to value for money” in the decision, announced in October, to order fewer, cheaper planes for one new aircraft carrier and possibly mothball a second or have it carry only helicopters.
“It will take two years for the department to reach a mature understanding of the consequences of the decision,” NAO Chief Operating Officer Michael Whitehouse said in an e-mailed statement. “These consequences include a decade without an operational carrier and the risks after such a time associated with reconstituting the capability.”
The watchdog questioned whether government plans to achieve 3.4 billion pounds ($5.4 billion) in savings on aircraft carriers over 10 years can be realized without jeopardizing the capability of the armed forces. It said the government’s defense plans aren’t affordable and the military will need more money after 2015.
The defense ministry has to reduce its budget by 8 percent over four years as Britain seeks to reduce its deficit. The Conservative-led government blames the previous Labour administration for creating a 38 billion-pound shortfall.
Defense Secretary Liam Fox and the department’s top civil servant, Ursula Brennan, said in a statement released by her office in London that they are “disappointed” that the watchdog published its findings without letting her see the final report.
To contact the reporter on this story: Gonzalo Vina in London at gvina@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at jhertling@bloomberg.net
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