Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 7 October 2019 to Question 292881 on Defence: Expenditure, what the activities are for the (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20 budget.

The questions refer to two distinct financial years' supply estimates. Those estimates reflect the sum of activities planned by the Department for those years. The Department's main estimate covers the outcome of its annual financial planning activity which allocates its budget to the projects and activities Defence will deliver that year. Annual plans are based on long term planning and forecasting, particularly the ten year Equipment Plan.

Supplementary Estimates are a more mature position reflecting actual spend against these plans. Changes may reflect reprioritisation or updated plans as work progresses. These differences were not unexpected as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) adjusts budget profiles to reflect emerging requirements. The MOD's spending activities are set out in its Annual Report and Accounts. These can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2018-to-19