Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that top level budget holders in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force assess their budgets on the same basis for future Equipment Plan reports.

All Top Level Budget Holders (TLBs) already operate within the same standardised financial planning processes. The Department's operating model, where responsibility for managing the equipment plan is delegated to TLBs, acknowledges that they have different financial positions and carry a balance between capability and financial risk.

The Department is committed to reviewing the format of future equipment plan reports to ensure they remain fit for purpose.