The Ministry of Defence (MoD) provides the defence capabilities to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories. It supports the government’s foreign policy objectives, particularly those relating to peace and security.
The MoD has responsibility for the Armed Forces, including 200,000 regular members of Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, together with over 47,000 reserves.
It is the lead department in the government’s policy of defence diplomacy through the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Western European Union and the United Nations. It provides strategic direction on UK participation in conflict prevention, crisis management and operations.
The MoD procures equipment through the Defence Procurement Agency which most cost effectively meets agreed military requirements, including fighter aircraft, tanks and submarines. It also supports British defence exports, within the framework of the government’s arms sales policy.
The MoD funds the Meteorological Office, which provides the national weather forecasting service. It also operates military schools and academies, including the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The MoD provides services for military veterans, including war pensions, through the Veterans Agency.
Here is a list of ministers who work for the Department.
Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary of State for Scotland
Read about his work with the Scotland Office
Responsibilities
The Secretary of State for Defence is the Cabinet Minister charged with making and executing Defence policy, and with providing the means by which it is executed, the Armed Forces. He is Chairman of the Defence Council and of its three Boards, (the Admiralty Board, the Army Board and the Air Force Board).
Although responsible ultimately for all elements of Defence, the Secretary of State is supported by three subordinate Ministers: the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces and the Under-Secretary of State for Defence. The Secretary of State assigns responsibility to them for specific aspects of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence’s business. However, the following are specifically his responsibility:
- Policy, including nuclear issues and European defence
- Operations
- Personnel
- Finance and efficiency
- Oversight of major acquisition decisions and defence industrial issues
- Media and communications
Minister of State
The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP
Responsibilities
Defence policy and planning, including:
- Arms control and disarmament; export licensing
- International organisations
- US visiting forces
- Size and shape of the Armed Forces
- Intelligence and security, including counter terrorism
- Defence diplomacy
Operations, including:
- Overseas commitments and garrisons
- Northern Ireland
- Military Aid to the Civil Authorities
- Nuclear accident response
- Military assistance overseas
The Armed Forces (Regular and Reserves), including:
- Readiness
- Sustainability
- Personnel Issues
- Performance
- Training
- Reputation
- Inquiries, Boards of Inquiry, Inquest
Regional issues and the devolved Administrations
Defence Estates Committee
Defence Equipment and Support business in the Commons
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Baroness Ann Taylor
Responsibilities
Defence Equipment Programme through life Defence logistics support, including:
- ABRO
- DARA
Defence Science and Technology, including:
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratories
- QinetiQ
- Commercial policy throughout the Department
- Defence exports
- International aspects of defence equipment and support
- House of Lords business
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Derek Twigg MP
Responsibilities
Reporting to Minister(AF)
Service personnel issues, including:
- Recruitment, basic training, and education
- Pay
- Equal opportunities
- Service families and Service Children’s Education
- Defence medical services
- Cadets
- Compensation, and claims casework
Veterans affairs, including:
- Legacy veterans’ health issues
- War Graves
- Medals and memorials
- Commemorative events
- Prisoners of War
Defence estates, including:
- Defence estates acquisition and disposal
- Service housing
- Heritage and Historic Buildings
Other issues, including:
- Hydrographic Office
- Meteorological Office
- Non-Departmental Public Bodies
- MOD Police
- Health and safety
- Low flying
- Civilian personnel and policy casework
- Visits by Peers and MPs / Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme
Contact department
General enquiries about aspects of defence policy or the Armed Forces can be submitted electronically via the MOD website (opens in new window)
Please note that the MOD cannot reply by e-mail - your postal address must be included.
Telephone
For general enquiries about the MOD, please contact the MOD Public Enquiry team on 0870 607 4455 (open Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm).
If you wish to write to any of the Ministry of Defence’s four Ministers, please send your letter to:
The Ministerial Correspondence Unit,
Floor 5, Zone A
Main Building,
Whitehall,
London SW1A 2HB
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