Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 15
The Integrated Review must address a lack of clear strategic vision, a lack of confidence,...
Recommendation
The Integrated Review must address a lack of clear strategic vision, a lack of confidence, and lack of coherent implementation that has undermined recent international policy by the UK. The Review should respond, and be seen to respond, to the consultation that it has undertaken and the challenge that a robust review requires. It should publish its evidence base transparently, showing that future policy has a broad and strong foundation. And, for Global Britain to be more than just a slogan, the Review must provide: i) a clear articulation of the UK’s interests and values, and of their roles in a coherent strategy for the UK’s international policy ii) clear and limited priorities within designated timeframes iii) meaningful and targeted resources with which to deliver iv) greater coherence and alignment among UK levers of influence, and therefore greater impact abroad v) an unambiguous leadership role for the diplomatic service. The Government has committed to spend 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance (ODA), and we agree with the Government that UK diplomats must play the leading role in coordinating how this money is spent. But we recommend that the resourcing of the UK’s diplomatic service itself be directed by the UK’s strategic needs and must not be skewed by the requirements of ODA eligibility. (Paragraph 13) The UK’s response i) The UK, like all countries, has limits to its resources and reach. Those pressures will be even greater during the challenging economic circumstances created by Covid-19. To avoid overstretch, and remain credible, its international policy must be based on limited and adequately resourced priorities. ii) Given the challenges that that the world will face, we agree with the Government that the UK has a contribution to make as a ‘problem-solving and burden-sharing nation.’ iii) The UK should also be an inclusive nation that opens opportunities for others. The Government should use the UK’s convening power, its thought leadershi
Government response summary AI-generated
The government is committed to strengthening its position and states the Integrated Review will bring together all relevant instruments and foster a whole-of-government approach, citing the FCDO merger and MOD funding as examples of ongoing efforts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
15
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
13.1 The Government agrees with the Committee’s view on the importance of sustaining the UK’s strong, historic ties with European states. The UK will continue to work intensively with our European partners on our shared security challenges. Being outside the EU will not affect this commitment, nor the unique role that our armed forces and security services play in keeping Europe safe from a wide range of threats. As a sovereign ally, we will reinforce the UK’s position as a reliable neighbour and partner, reinvigorating our relationships in the region to amplify our global influence, achieve shared goals and act as a force for good in the world. That means doing diplomacy differently and leaning in to those alliances and regional groups that can have global impact including in the multilateral system. 13.2 The Indo-Pacific is increasingly important for the UK, as a centre of global economic growth, and a region of increasing geostrategic importance. The UK has a range of enduring interests in the region. 13.3 The Integrated Review will set out the full breadth of our offer to the Indo-Pacific. However, through the Foreign Secretary’s increased engagement with the region, the UK bid to achieve ASEAN Dialogue Partnership status and via actions to pursue accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the UK has signalled its intention to prioritise the Indo-Pacific and develop closer partnerships with likeminded countries in the region.
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