Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Accepted
The Government should in response to this report provide evidence to the Committee on how...
Recommendation
The Government should in response to this report provide evidence to the Committee on how it utilises its overseas network to detect, defend and deter foreign information manipulation and interference and how these insights are informing policy responses. (Recommendation, Paragraph 183)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government agrees and states the FCDO is investing in staff upskilling, leveraging its network of political officers, and using reporting from overseas missions to build a global picture of the threat which informs policy responses.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
30. The FCDO is investing in upskilling its staff to work on FIMI, including through a dedicated training offer which has been rolled out at priority overseas Posts in FY25–26. This has included delivery in Europe, Africa and Latin America. 31. The FCDO leverages a network of more than 100 political officers across priority UK diplomatic missions to engage with host governments on the threat from FIMI, response options and opportunities to collaborate. In turn, reporting from our overseas network enables us to build a comprehensive picture of the global nature of the FIMI threat and seek further opportunities for cooperation with and learning from international partners. 32. We also leverage our overseas network to deepen dialogue with host governments and civil society actors on FIMI and develop initiatives to detect, defend against and deter FIMI in line with UK policy objectives. Having a skilled workforce, able to engage effectively in this evolving policy area in different geopolitical contexts, is critical to the success of the UK’s international engagement and reach on FIMI. US
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