4. Adjust according to budget.
4 - From bottom to top, either eliminate or scale the responses until the budget target is met
Both of these could be reworded as "Take risk to meet budget" as that is what will happen (as it does today). Whether the 'risk mitigation' is worth the paper it's written on is another thing (mitigation such as rely on allies to provide suitable assets or capability / lead time will be sufficient to retrain forces / sufficient sea lift, and time, will be available to move equipment / 100% of reserves will be available for mobilisation are words, nothing else). Sadly, there are plenty of VSOs who are prepared to sign up to these risks (and plenty of cabinet ministers who are happy to stick their heads in the sand [they won't take responsibility, clearly]) in order to carry on up the slippery pole safe in the knowledge that the effects of their decisions will not be fully felt "on their watch".