Recommendation 12

HM Government · verbatim extract Rejected

The government does not accept this recommendation. The government already has strong central functions dedicated to planning for and managing crises. Further, the government already makes use of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) planning capabilities in a crisis where required, and considers that having a standing capability dedicated solely to resilience is not necessary. From MoD's perspective it is also not desirable, as it would reduce Defence’s ability to conduct its own tasks. For the majority of emergencies requiring a response at the national level, there is a pre-nominated LGD which is responsible for both the planning and activation of central government response arrangements. In discharging these responsibilities, departments are already able to request the support of MoD and the Armed Forces in preparing for and responding to emergencies. The Armed Forces also provide considerable planning expertise on a regular basis to both CCS and other government departments for major events and crises, a process governed by the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) process. This was seen in the preparations for leaving the European Union, Winter Response and in the early days of the pandemic, when MoD provided a network of Strategic Liaison Officers (SLOs). Spanning across the Cabinet Office, key departments and the NHS, they were able to not only assist departments to develop plans, but also to provide advice on the use of military capabilities, facilitate the MACA process and to track potential and emerging demand for military capabilities. Some existing military planning capabilities with deep expertise not easily found in government (for example Reserve Officers with the Engineer and Logistic Staff Corps) have contributed to central planning and response work. MoD, additionally, has an existing network of 18 full-time, staff-trained, Joint Regional Liaison Officers (JRLOs) to provide civil authorities with advice at the operational level. Generic planning capabilities, while invaluable, are also dependent on thorough knowledge of civilian capabilities, organisational structures, legal frameworks and working practices. These can also be provided through adherence to the UK government’s Crisis Management doctrine, rather than through the standing provision of military planners and uniform application of military planning techniques.