Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's document entitled Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP, keynote speech at AGF Defence Summit, Farnborough International Air Show, published on 22 July 2026, what governance arrangement will oversee the new approach to risk that he will direct his Department to take.

The Ministry of Defence is reforming defence acquisition to become more risk-aware and less risk-averse, recognising that excessive caution can delay the delivery of critical military capability. Through procurement segmentation, faster acquisition pathways and spiral development, we are applying proportionate risk appetites to enable faster and more flexible procurement.

Risk will continue to be governed through clear accountability and assurance arrangements. Empowered portfolio leaders, Senior Responsible Owners and senior sponsors are responsible for setting and managing risk appetite, taking risk-based decisions and ensuring that significant risks are subject to appropriate scrutiny. These reforms are designed to improve pace while maintaining robust governance and accountability.