AGILE ADAPTABLE CAPABLE
News > News by Date
CDS and PUS statement on PR10
05 March 2010
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Permanent Under Secretary Sir Bill Jeffrey have issued the following statement on PR10.
The Defence Board recently concluded discussions on Planning Round (PR) 10 and the final package has now been agreed.
It includes a number of measures to bring the cost of the programme and the budget more closely into line over the next two financial years.
These build on the Secretary of State's announcement of 15 December 2009 and bring the Planning Round to a conclusion.
Those who are directly affected by the measures will be informed in the normal way.
This Planning Round, conducted against the backdrop of exceptionally severe financial conditions, has been extremely difficult.
It has required tough decisions. These have not been taken lightly and we know and understand the pain that some of them will cause.
We regret this. But all the Board Members agreed that the final package of measures represents the best way forward in the circumstances and are committed to their implementation, not least to give substance to our direction that Afghanistan is the main effort.
While PR10 has now finished, the need for difficult decisions has not. The Department's financial position remains very challenging, and the commitments control regime and restrictions on recruiting, travel, overtime and other allowances will need to remain in place in the new financial year.
We are sorry that this is the case, but it is necessary to avoid more damaging impacts on our people and capability.
The major parties have committed to a Defence Review after the General Election and this will present an opportunity to bring resources and commitments back into balance. We, and our fellow Board Members, are determined to ensure that this opportunity is seized.
A huge effort is required to ensure that we are in a position to conduct the coming Defence Review on behalf of whichever party forms the new Government.
As the Secretary of State has made clear, further hard choices lie ahead. Tom McKane's team are working to define the programme. Many of the strands of work have started; others will do so soon. We urge you all to get engaged and give whatever support is asked of you to make the review a success.
p class="back">Go to news article list
It includes a number of measures to bring the cost of the programme and the budget more closely into line over the next two financial years.
These build on the Secretary of State's announcement of 15 December 2009 and bring the Planning Round to a conclusion.
Those who are directly affected by the measures will be informed in the normal way.
This Planning Round, conducted against the backdrop of exceptionally severe financial conditions, has been extremely difficult.
It has required tough decisions. These have not been taken lightly and we know and understand the pain that some of them will cause.
We regret this. But all the Board Members agreed that the final package of measures represents the best way forward in the circumstances and are committed to their implementation, not least to give substance to our direction that Afghanistan is the main effort.
While PR10 has now finished, the need for difficult decisions has not. The Department's financial position remains very challenging, and the commitments control regime and restrictions on recruiting, travel, overtime and other allowances will need to remain in place in the new financial year.
We are sorry that this is the case, but it is necessary to avoid more damaging impacts on our people and capability.
The major parties have committed to a Defence Review after the General Election and this will present an opportunity to bring resources and commitments back into balance. We, and our fellow Board Members, are determined to ensure that this opportunity is seized.
A huge effort is required to ensure that we are in a position to conduct the coming Defence Review on behalf of whichever party forms the new Government.
As the Secretary of State has made clear, further hard choices lie ahead. Tom McKane's team are working to define the programme. Many of the strands of work have started; others will do so soon. We urge you all to get engaged and give whatever support is asked of you to make the review a success.
