Select Committee · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

The National Security Strategy

Status: Open Opened: 17 Jun 2025 21 recommendations 16 conclusions 1 report

The Government published a new National Security Strategy (NSS) on 24 June 2025. The NSS reviews the risks facing the UK and sets out plans to address them, structured under three themes: security at home, strength abroad, and sovereign and asymmetric capabilities. The Committee is seeking views on how well the NSS addresses the range …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report – The National Security Strategy HC 1045 27 Mar 2026 37 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
32 Conclusion 4th Report – The National Security Stra… Rejected

The National Security Strategy is clear that sovereignty over certain national security capabilities, including nuclear,...

The National Security Strategy is clear that sovereignty over certain national security capabilities, including nuclear, emerging technologies, shipbuilding and steelmaking, is important. However, beyond this, there is no clear definition of how the Government defines what it considers to be a sovereign capability. Nor is there sufficient indication of what …

Government response. The government rejects providing a strict definition or published list of sovereign capabilities, citing risks. It states clarity is instead provided through existing strategic frameworks like the Industrial Strategy and the National Security and Investment Act, with further details coming …
Cabinet Office
34 Recommendation 4th Report – The National Security Stra… Rejected

The Government should provide a clear, written definition of what a sovereign capability is, including...

The Government should provide a clear, written definition of what a sovereign capability is, including different levels of sovereignty. The Government should also outline which specific existing and emerging technologies it is seeking to develop, and to what level of sovereignty. These definitions should be informed by risk assessments of …

Government response. The government rejected the need for a strict written definition of sovereign capability or a restrictive list of technologies, arguing a flexible approach through existing strategic frameworks like the Industrial Strategy and NSIA provides clarity while avoiding risks of obsolescence …
Cabinet Office

Oral evidence sessions

7 sessions
Date Witnesses
26 Jan 2026 Dan Jarvis · Home Office, Matthew Collins · Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Darren Jones MP · Cabinet Office View ↗
17 Nov 2025 Air Commodore (retd) Blythe Crawford CBE · Tiberius Aerospace, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Haydn Gaukroger OBE · Syos Aerospace, Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE · City St George’s, University of London, Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt · Jesus College, University of Oxford, Sophia Gaston · AUKUS Industry Forum View ↗
3 Nov 2025 Isabel Hilton OBE, Jonathan Hall KC · Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Lord Sumption OBE PC, FSA, FRHistS, Nigel Inkster CMG · MI6, The Rt Hon. the Lord Patten of Barnes KG CH View ↗
20 Oct 2025 Asoke Mukerji, Dr Marion Messmer, Rose Gottemoeller, Will Todman · Middle East Program, CSIS View ↗
13 Oct 2025 Brigadier General Eero Rebo · Embassy of Estonia, Captain (Navy) Juha Ravanti · Embassy of Finland, Lisa Hollins · Voluntary & Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP), Lord Toby Harris · National Preparedness Commission, Steve Vincent · West Midlands Local Resilience Forum View ↗
14 Jul 2025 Matthew Collins · Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP · Cabinet Office View ↗
23 Jun 2025 Grace Cassy · CyLon Ventures, Lord Peter Ricketts GCMG GCVO · Lords European Affairs Committee, Professor Michael Clarke · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Rachel Ellehuus View ↗

Correspondence

6 letters
DateDirectionTitle
24 Jun 2026 From cttee Letter to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, relating to the Government'…
16 Mar 2026 To cttee Response from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the NSS inqu…
26 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Chancellor …
28 Oct 2025 To cttee Letter from Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government re…
8 Sep 2025 Correspondence from Matt Collins, Deputy National Security Adviser following th…
23 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to the fo…