BILLIONS IN WASTED MoD SPENDING
Patricia Gibson MP has slammed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for its “shockingly wasteful” spending.
She criticised the MoD for the “billions of pounds wasted on defence projects that have not come to fruition”, and blamed the UK Government for its failure to deliver value-for-money for the taxpayer.
The UK is currently the highest percentage spender on infrastructure within the entire 29 member North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) alliance, but is second lowest when it comes to spending on military personnel.
House of Commons Library Research shows that the MoD paid £3.7 billion to cancel the Nimrod MRA4 contract, as well as £400 million for the cancellation of the Warrior CSP contract – among a litany of other mothballed contracts.
The MoD’s Equipment Plan is estimated to be overdrawn by up to £17 billion according to the National Audit Office.
Commenting, Patricia said:
“The MOD has become shockingly wasteful of public funds, and the Tories in government have utterly failed to manage this over the last 11 years.
“The litany of contract cancellations makes for stark reading, with billions of pounds wasted on defence projects that have not come to fruition.
“The UK Government has failed to meet any of the pressing security challenges facing Scotland, such as addressing the skills shortages in all branches of the Armed Forces, yet continues to fritter away billions of taxpayers’ money on dead-end projects and more weapons of mass destruction. It now proposes to spend £200 million on a new Royal yacht.
“An independent Scotland would take full control of defence and ensure a secure future for our people.”
Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries:
“MoD accused of overspending as budget black hole reaches £17 billion:
2012-13 annual report and accounts, under constructive losses, shows a £3.7 billion fee for the cancellation of Nimrod MRA4:
Committee report stating that the MoD spent £400 million on the cancellation of Warrior CSP:
ENDS
