Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

Update to the UK's Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy

Status: Closed Opened: 11 Nov 2022 Closed: 31 May 2023 6 recommendations 2 conclusions 1 report

The inquiry will explore what changes the Government should include in the Integrated Review refresh, reflecting recent changes to the UK’s strategic environment. The inquiry will focus in particular on how the Integrated Review refresh should address the future of UK-China relations, as well as broader changes required in light of the Russian invasion of …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach? Updating the Integr… HC 882 18 Dec 2022 8 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
1 Conclusion Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach?… Acknowledged

The Integrated Review has provided a robust and flexible framework to guide UK foreign policy...

The Integrated Review has provided a robust and flexible framework to guide UK foreign policy decisions out to 2025. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has tested many of the assumptions underpinning the IR, and these have been found to hold true. A full-scale refresh is only warranted, given the scale …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's conclusion, stating that IR2023 updates the UK’s priorities to reflect the changes in the global context and that the resilience of the United Kingdom is central to IR2023.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5 Conclusion Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach?… Acknowledged

The Integrated Review notably lacked detail on the future of the UK’s relationship with its...

The Integrated Review notably lacked detail on the future of the UK’s relationship with its European partners and the EU. The renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine has altered the dynamics of European politics and provided a clearer lens through which to view UK-Europe security relations. It is important that the …

Government response. The government states that the UK’s overriding priority remains the Euro-Atlantic and is committed to playing a leading role in upholding its stability, security, and prosperity, building stronger relationships with European allies and partners.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
6 Recommendation Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach?… Acknowledged

The Integrated Review was right to highlight the UK’s increasing interest in the Indo-Pacific.

The Integrated Review was right to highlight the UK’s increasing interest in the Indo-Pacific. However, this refresh presents an opportunity to reset and clarify the UK’s relationships beyond the Indo-Pacific and specifically in the Euro-Atlantic. The Government should explain if, and how, it expects the UK to contribute to European …

Government response. The government states that the Euro-Atlantic will remain the core priority and the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are inextricably linked. It recognizes that it has now delivered the 'tilt' to the Indo-Pacific, making it a permanent …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
7 Recommendation Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach?… Acknowledged

The language of the Integrated Review and UK actions since its publication suggests that the...

The language of the Integrated Review and UK actions since its publication suggests that the Government is tilting away from the Middle East. We acknowledge the trade- offs involved in prioritising other regions but the Government should be careful to avoid any perception of disengagement from partners and fragile countries …

Government response. The government states that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is not being deprioritised and remains a critical region for the UK and will continue to promote peace and stability in these regions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8 Recommendation Fifth Report - Refreshing our approach?… Acknowledged

The IR should detail how the Government will actively fight to make sure the multilateral...

The IR should detail how the Government will actively fight to make sure the multilateral system remains one reflective of our core values and the rules-based international order. That means advancing a forward-leaning multilateral foreign policy and putting forward our own candidates in coordination with likeminded nations for key roles. …

Government response. The government acknowledges that traditional multilateral approaches and defending the 'rules-based international system' are no longer sufficient on their own, detailing diplomatic efforts regarding Russia and support for Ukraine in the multilateral system.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
15 Nov 2022 Air Marshal Edward Stringer (Ret'd) CB, CBE · Policy Exchange, Andrew Seaton · China-Britain Business Council, Ed Arnold · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC · Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Veerle Nouwens · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) View ↗