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MOD ORGANISATION

The Secretary of State for Defence is responsible for the formulation and conduct of defence policy and for providing the means by which it is conducted. He is supported by three Ministers – one for the Armed Forces, one for Defence Procurement and the dual-roled Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

The Secretary of State and the three Ministers are accountable to Parliament – which votes public money to the MOD for defence purposes. Parliament exercises its oversight through a variety of means – Parliamentary Questions, themed defence debates in both Houses, through the Defence Select Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.

Principal Advisors

Ministers are supported by the top management of the MOD, headed jointly by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Permanent Secretary. They share responsibility for much of the Department’s business and their roles reflect the importance of both military and civilian advice on political, financial, administrative and operational matters.

The Defence Council

The formal legal basis for the conduct of defence in the UK rests on a range of powers vested by statute and Letters Patent in the Defence Council, chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence. Each of the Services has its own top level board (the Admiralty, Army and Air Force Boards) reporting to the Defence Council.

The Defence Management Board

The Defence Management Board is the executive board of the Defence Council and is responsible for directing a number of key processes, in particular the annual re-costing of the Defence programme and the Departmental planning process.

Most defence activity takes place outside the MOD head office and is managed through eleven Top Level Budget (TLB) holders and four Trading Funds. The Permanent Secretary grants each TLB extensive delegated powers over his/her resources of cash, personnel and land.

TOP LEVEL BUDGET STRUCTURE

Top Level Budget Structure

1. Central TLB

The Central TLB has lead responsibility for the development of policy and strategy for the MOD and provides manpower for the Central Staff, who have an important role in Performance Management, ensuring policy decisions are carried out and targets are being met.

2. Operational TLBs

There are 5 TLBs directly responsible for the planning and management of military operations and the delivery of frontline capability.

Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) – responsible for running all military operations

Commander in Chief Fleet (CINCFLEET) - responsible for the delivery of warships and trained crews to CJO at agreed readiness states. Retains an operational command capability.

Land Command (LAND) - performs a similar role to CINCFLEET within the contact of trained Army formations and equipment. Again, retains an operational command capability.

Strike Command (STC) - responsible for providing aircraft and trained crews to CJO. Again retains an operational command capability.

General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOCNI) – responsible for military aid to the civil power and counter terrorist operations in Northern Ireland.

3. Military Manpower TLBs

There are 3 Military Manpower TLBs, responsible for providing trained personnel for their respective Service.

2nd Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command (2SL/CNH) – provides trained officers, sailors and Royal Marines to CINCFLEET to allow him to meet his commitment to CJO. Deals with recruiting and training issues.

Adjutant General (AG) – provides a similar function to 2SL/CNH for the Army and provides education services to children of all members of the Armed Forces overseas.

Royal Air Force Personnel and Training Command (RAF P&TCmd) – provides trained personnel to the RAF Operational TLB and other TLB holders.

4. Equipment Procurement TLB

Defence Procurement Agency – responsible for the procurement of equipment to meet new requirements. (see DPA website for further information)

5. Logistics Support TLB

Defence Logistics Organisation – responsible for the logistical support to all three Services to make the front line services more flexible, more effective and more efficient.

Last Updated: 14 Jan 05