MoD announces carriers will be delayed

Following an equipment examination, the MOD said it was “reprioritising programmes to better support current operations”. Secretary of State for Defence John Hutton also announced there would be a review to examine progress with implementing reforms through the MOD's acquisition change programme and make any further recommendations “to secure better value for money in the delivery of major acquisition programmes”. The review will be led by the businessman and journalist Bernard Gray. John Hutton said tough decisions needed to be made and he had asked Gray to conduct a review into the procurment of major equipment to make sure projects were delivered on time and on budget. The new aircraft carriers would be brought more closely into line with the introduction of new aircraft and that would result in “a change to the delivery schedule,” he said. Construction on the ships was already under way and would continue with “minimal implications to jobs and industry”. The programme would still provide stability for the core shipyard workforce, including 10,000 jobs.