Prospect launches report on effective defence procurement with panel of expert contributors

Prospect reps, staff and industry stakeholders attended the launch of the union’s new report, “Design, Build and Maintain: Effective Defence Procurement” which argues the case for fundamental reform of defence procurement.

The event, on Monday, 24 April, was hosted by MakeUK and featured a panel, chaired by Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns, made up of key figures in the defence industry, including:

• Chris Evans MP, Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement
• David Watson, the report’s author, military historian and independent policy consultant
• Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General for Defence at MakeUK
• Bob King, Prospect National Secretary for Defence

Prospect’s report proposes a new set of rules for defence procurement with, at their heart, ‘the promotion and protection of sovereign capability in UK defence and dedicated to UK design, build, maintenance and repair for defence equipment.’

‘Prospect represents the professional interests of 11,000 scientists, engineers and managers across the defence industry, in both the public and private sector. This is an important time for the defence industry. We’re working to ensure the government’s new defence strategy will benefit workers.’

Sue Ferns discussed the timely nature of the report, in advance of the expected publication of a defence command paper in June. Reports from the Public Accounts Committee have showed the defence procurement system to be broken, and social value rules brought in by the government have not been enough to promote and protect UK defence.

Keynote speaker Chris Evans MP emphasised the social value of defence to many local communities, and the effect that a failing procurement process has on armed forces. Since 2010, £15 billion of tax payers money has gone towards failed defence procurement plans, with £5 billion wasted since 2019. 42 out of 45 projects aren’t on time or budget, meaning that the UK is ultimately failing its troops.

Mr Evans described Prospect’s report as an opportunity to open a conversation between business, unions and the civil service on how we can put UK defence jobs and the economy first in the procurement process.

David Watson talked through the structure of the report and the alternative defence procurement approach of UK by default that it suggests. The report offers amendments needed for the current guidance and sets very clear objectives for defence equipment.

Andrew Kinniburgh outlined the need for a much more rigorous approach from the Ministry of Defence towards defence design and development, stressing the importance of intellectual property in the UK and the support needed for hardworking civil servants in the department.

Prospect’s Bob King stressed the need for sustained focus from the UK Government on how to improve defence and invest in the skills and resources needed. The report compares the amounts spent on defence overseas and finds that the UK does far less to boost its own defence industry when deciding contracts than other countries. We need an approach that safeguards our national security and demonstrates a real commitment to UK design and maintenance for defence equipment.

The event served as a great opportunity to hear from specialists in the sector, with the panellists providing both a political viewpoint and an industry perspective. It also demonstrated the value of workers in the defence sector, who are being failed by the current system.

An ineffective procurement process, a string of failed projects and a lack of investment have ultimately led to a loss of trust and respect in the sector. It is imperative that through reforming defence procurement, we work towards a culture change and give the industry the confidence in its capabilities and the valuable contribution it makes to the UK economy.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“The UK defence procurement process is broken and does virtually nothing to promote and sustain domestic business, unlike other countries.

“We need a complete overhaul of the system so we can put UK jobs and the economy at the heart of the bidding process. Only by changing the way we do things will we secure sovereign capacity and support the defence jobs of the future.

“We call on all political parties to adopt these proposals and demonstrate their commitment to those communities who rely on defence jobs.”