Key recommendation 2. The number and responsibilities of MOD Ministers should be reviewed to align with the new model. |
Key recommendation 3. The Permanent Secretary and Chief of Defence Staff should continue jointly to lead Defence, but with their roles and responsibilities clarified. PUS's responsibilities include ensuring that the Defence Programme is affordable. As well as being responsible for the conduct of operations, CDS should represent the views of the Armed Forces on the new Board. |
a. PUS and CDS should be jointly responsible for strategy and should chair a new 'strategy' group to support them in delivering this function. |
b. CDS should continue to convene a Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting in 'operations' mode to support him in his operational responsibilities. He should also convene a Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting in 'Armed Forces' mode to inform but not constrain his contribution on the new Defence Board. |
5.1 This section sets out our proposals on the responsibilities and accountabilities of the most senior leaders in Defence: Ministers and PUS and CDS, the Defence Secretary's principal advisers. Our analysis and consultation has led us to three main conclusions.