A recent parliamentary question by Helen Maguire MP, Liberal Democrat for Epsom and Ewell, has shed light on trends in UK Armed Forces spending and personnel numbers between 2015-16 and 2023-24.

The written response from Al Carns MP, Labour representative for Birmingham Selly Oak, provides data revealing significant shifts in spending and staffing levels over this period.

“The information you have requested is set out in the table below. The figures for the financial year 2024-25 will be available once the accounts have been closed and audited. All personnel numbers are as at 1 April of the relevant financial year,” Carns stated in his response.

Spending and Personnel Data (2015-16 to 2023-24)

Financial Year Spend on Service Personnel in Cash Terms (£m) Spend on Service Personnel in Real Terms (£m, 2023-24 prices) Total UK Regular Forces Royal Navy and Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force
2015-16 9,319 12,050 153,724 32,739 87,058 33,927
2016-17 9,623 12,169 150,996 32,502 85,038 33,456
2017-18 9,684 12,056 149,366 32,544 83,561 33,261
2018-19 9,785 11,931 146,556 32,483 81,116 32,957
2019-20 10,691 12,734 144,428 32,537 79,029 32,862
2020-21 11,269 12,738 145,317 32,755 79,624 32,938
2021-22 11,184 12,716 149,280 33,848 82,231 33,201
2022-23 11,449 12,151 147,978 33,929 80,730 33,319
2023-24 11,954 11,954 142,556 32,840 77,536 32,180

The data reveals several significant trends:

  1. Real-Term Spending Decline: Although cash spending on service personnel increased from £9.3 billion in 2015-16 to £11.95 billion in 2023-24, inflation-adjusted figures show a slight decline in real terms, from £12.05 billion to £11.95 billion.
  2. Frontline Personnel Reductions: Total UK Regular Forces decreased by more than 11,000, with the most significant reductions seen in the Army, which dropped from 87,058 personnel in 2015-16 to 77,536 in 2023-24.
  3. Service-Specific Trends: The Royal Navy and Royal Marines remained relatively stable, with a small decrease, while the Royal Air Force saw a moderate decline.

These trends reflect the dual pressures of budget constraints and a shift towards modernisation. The decline in real-term spending and personnel numbers may signal a focus on investing in advanced technologies and capabilities rather than maintaining a large standing force.


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George Allison
George Allison is the founder and editor of the UK Defence Journal. He holds a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and specialises in naval and cyber security topics. George has appeared on national radio and television to provide commentary on defence and security issues. Twitter: @geoallison

3 COMMENTS

  1. The headline doesn’t really reflect the data. It shows that real term spending has been roughly flat across the 9 years. Bit of a stretch to complain about £100 drop in spending per head, just noise in the data.

  2. Not only is the real-term spend down but the spend per head will be way down as the head-count has reduced. It would be useful to see a breakdown of what this spend covers. No doubt pay and pensions will be the largest element.

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