The Defence Reform bill, which was featured in the latest speech of the Queen has sparked a fresh controversy throughout the United Kingdom. Following mismanagement concerns, plans to partially privatise military procurement and boost reserves are being scrutinized. Union leaders, industry experts, and former military personnel are already in an uproar since the announcement has been made.
In the legislation's first piece, the Queen had mentioned a partial privatisation of the DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support), MoD (Ministry of Defence) department. At present, the DE&S has a staff of roughly 16,000 and an annual budget of about £14 billion. But, future performance is vital for the department's survival because it has suffered numerous failures in the past. As the funds have already shrunk, at stake are thousands of jobs in case the new legislation fails.
Reforms will make way for private companies and alleviate the DE&S' financial burden. Private organisations will also be provided with access to highly-classified information concerning the purchases and supplies of defence equipment worth billions of pounds.
In effect, the latest laws will convert the DE&S into an agency that is owned by the government but operated by contractors. The law is revolutionary because there is no other military power worldwide that has privatised such an important department of defence.
The US is alarmed in particular by this impending partial privatisation. “Putting contractors in roles normally filled by government employees and the effects this would have on ongoing and future operations,” said a concerned unnamed officer. Washington officials may no longer consider the UK the confidante it used to be.
The other piece of the legislation that was announced in the speech of the Queen involves military forces, adjusting reserves and cutting army numbers so that the reduction is balanced. The British army is expected to reduce by about 20 per cent, whereas reserves will likely increase from 17,000 to approx. 30,000. In compliance with the move, the MoD would fund equipment and extensive training, in the amount of about £1.8 billion.
However, recruitment seems to have become a challenging proposition for the military. A white paper would be published soon explaining how the MoD plans to boost reserves and increase enrolment to comply with latest legislation. Meanwhile, more details will likely surface, with more heated debates kicking off concerning the partial privatisation of the DE&S.
Looking for Great Logistic Jobs or Lucrative careers in procurement in the UK? Call Cast UK.
In the legislation's first piece, the Queen had mentioned a partial privatisation of the DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support), MoD (Ministry of Defence) department. At present, the DE&S has a staff of roughly 16,000 and an annual budget of about £14 billion. But, future performance is vital for the department's survival because it has suffered numerous failures in the past. As the funds have already shrunk, at stake are thousands of jobs in case the new legislation fails.
Reforms will make way for private companies and alleviate the DE&S' financial burden. Private organisations will also be provided with access to highly-classified information concerning the purchases and supplies of defence equipment worth billions of pounds.
In effect, the latest laws will convert the DE&S into an agency that is owned by the government but operated by contractors. The law is revolutionary because there is no other military power worldwide that has privatised such an important department of defence.
The US is alarmed in particular by this impending partial privatisation. “Putting contractors in roles normally filled by government employees and the effects this would have on ongoing and future operations,” said a concerned unnamed officer. Washington officials may no longer consider the UK the confidante it used to be.
The other piece of the legislation that was announced in the speech of the Queen involves military forces, adjusting reserves and cutting army numbers so that the reduction is balanced. The British army is expected to reduce by about 20 per cent, whereas reserves will likely increase from 17,000 to approx. 30,000. In compliance with the move, the MoD would fund equipment and extensive training, in the amount of about £1.8 billion.
However, recruitment seems to have become a challenging proposition for the military. A white paper would be published soon explaining how the MoD plans to boost reserves and increase enrolment to comply with latest legislation. Meanwhile, more details will likely surface, with more heated debates kicking off concerning the partial privatisation of the DE&S.
Looking for Great Logistic Jobs or Lucrative careers in procurement in the UK? Call Cast UK.
