Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
The Government has identified the need for a whole-of-society approach to security and resilience through...
Conclusion
The Government has identified the need for a whole-of-society approach to security and resilience through a national conversation, but it is not evident that this message is getting through to the public. There is a long way to go to realise the whole-of-society approach to defence and security. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that the national conversation on security and resilience is a government-wide effort already underway, citing high-level speeches and ongoing public surveys. It confirms commitments made in the Resilience Action Plan and Strategic Defence Review and will publish updated information in due course.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Through the Resilience Action Plan, we have committed to communicating the actions recommended for individuals, households, communities and businesses to increase their own preparedness and resilience, as set out on GOV.UK/Prepare. And through the Strategic Defence Review, we commit to a national conversation to raise public awareness of the threats to the UK, what we are doing to deter and protect against them, and why Defence requires support to strengthen the nation’s resilience. The national conversation on security and resilience is a Government-wide effort. As the Prime Minister confirmed in March, it is already underway: over the last few months the Minister for the Armed Forces, the Director General of MI5, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister have all spoken directly on the threats we face and what we are doing to deter and protect against them. In July 2025 we published insights from the first UK Public Survey of Risk Perception, Resilience and Preparedness, and we plan to publish findings from the 2026 survey later this year, demonstrating our commitment to understanding trends and adapting our thinking as we build a whole-of-society approach to security and resilience. We remain committed to raising the public’s awareness of the risks and threats we face, and sharing information that will help the public better prepare for emergencies, be more informed about hazards, and get involved in activities that support their community before, during and after an emergency. We will publish updated or new publicly accessible information, including the Joint Concept Note, in due course.