Armed Forces: Costs

House of Lords written question – answered at on 5 January 2010.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Marlesford Lord Marlesford Conservative

To ask Her Majesty's Government why Question for Written Answer HL5965 about the cost of the United Kingdom's operations in certain countries, tabled on 23 October and due for answer by 6 November, was not answered by the end of the session on 12 November.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost to public funds in each of the last five years of the United Kingdom's operations (including all three services) in (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan, (c) Cyprus, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) Germany, and (f) the Falkland Islands; and what is the budget for the current year.

Photo of Baroness Taylor of Bolton Baroness Taylor of Bolton Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Defence and Security) (also in the Ministry of Defence), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (International Defence and Security) (also in Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

The Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform, Lord Drayson, gave the noble Lord this Answer on 12 November. Unfortunately, this answer was not printed in Hansard.

The costs of UK military activity in 2004-05 to 2009-10 for each location is provided in the following table:

£ Million
FY 2004-05(1) FY 2005- 06 (1) FY 2006-07(1) FY 2007- 08 (1) FY 2008- 09 (1) FY 2009- 10 (2)
Iraq 910 958 956 1457 1381 38
Afghanistan 67 199 738 1504 2623 3754
Falkland Islands 113 143 65 67 70 70
Cyprus 186 236 174 191 226 179
German 464 373 357 361 389 340
Northern Ireland 284 281 128 89 79 18

Notes l. These are audited outturn figures.

2. The figures reflect estimated spend for Afghanistan and Iraq as outlined in the Winter Supplementary Estimates. These will be reviewed as required through the Spring Supplementary Estimates process.

3. 2009-10 figures for Germany and Northern Ireland do not include civilian pay.

The net additional costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are met from the reserve and do not include basic pay, pension and other costs not resulting from operational deployment.

Figures for the tri-Service garrison in the Falkland Islands include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores, and the British Forces Health Service. These figures do not include military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's education facilities, estate works and maintenance, IT and communication, maritime visits or air charter; costs associated with these activities are met by other top level budget holders. The reason for the lower figures in the most recent years is due to a change in MoD accounting policy, under which fixed asset depreciation costs and the cost of capital on fixed assets is recorded elsewhere.

Figures for headquarters British Forces in Cyprus include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores, and the British Forces Health Service. The figures do not include military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's education facilities, estate works and maintenance, IT and communication, or air charter.

Figures for the British Forces in Germany include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores and the British Forces Health Service. The figures do not include costs associated with military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's' education, estate works and maintenance, or IT and communications. The reduction from 2004-05 to 2005-06 relates to transfer of works funding to Defence Estates.

Figures for Northern Ireland include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians and Territorial Army, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel. The figures do not include costs associated with military equipment, military personnel pay, estate works and maintenance, or IT and communications. The reduction from 2004-05 to 2005-06 relates to transfer of works funding to defence estates.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.