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Ministry of Defence: Departmental Expenditure Limits

Asked by Derek TwiggLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 17 December 2025UIN 99482

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the underspend and overspend was for (a) Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit and (b) Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) Army and (iii) RAF as at 1 November 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Following Defence Reform, the Capital and Resource Expenditure Limits for the front line commands are managed across the Military Strategic Headquarters instead of individually.

The Ministry of Defence applies controls and routine financial management to ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet operational priorities. As such, financial data for the Military Strategic Headquarters will be available in the 2025-26 Annual Report and Accounts in the usual way.

As the public would rightly expect, this Government is committed to securing value for money for taxpayers.

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