The Review is to be a fundamental examination of how the Ministry of Defence is structured and managed. Its purpose is to develop a new model for departmental management, which is simpler and more cost-effective, with clear allocation of responsibility, authority and accountability.
The Review should take account of:
• the Secretary of State's vision of a leaner and less centralised Department that is built around policy and strategy, the Armed Forces, and procurement and estates;
• the need for a more effective and efficient approach to force generation;
• the need to deliver integrated Defence outputs, including in current operations, and the importance of joint Service activity and effective military / civilian cooperation for that purpose;
• the need to reduce MOD running costs significantly;
• any decisions of the Strategic Defence and Security Review which significantly impact on Defence organisation and management; and,
• the Permanent Secretary's role as principal Accounting Officer for the Defence budget.
The Review will be overseen by a steering group (the Defence Reform Unit) chaired by Lord Levene, the other members of which will be:
Baroness Noakes
Dr David Allen
Raymond McKeeve
Björn Conway
George Iacobescu
Gerry Grimstone
General Sir Nick Houghton
Ursula Brennan1
Detailed work in support of the Review will be undertaken by a small team within the Ministry of Defence.
The Review should aim to provide final recommendations by the end of July 2011.
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1. Ursula Brennan was replaced by Jon Day on the latter's appointment to the position of 2nd PUS in February 2011