Armed Forces: Automation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 14 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse of automating at least 20% of human resources, finance and commercial functions by July 2028; and what proportion of the total current cost of these functions will be saved through automation.
Answered by Al Carns
The Defence Reform and Efficiency Plan (which is one of the foundations of our Defence Investment Plan) to be published in the autumn, will include several initiatives that will deliver automation across Human Resources, Finance and Commercial functions. This includes initiatives such as a Corporate Services Modernisation programme that will deliver new automated tools and systems across the functions.
The specific automation savings and timelines across all workforces are currently being defined in detail to meet the Strategic Defence Review recommendations. The benefits and associated financial savings with these initiatives are currently being worked up in detail as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →