Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
The Government has identified Russia as the primary threat to the UK’s national security and...
Conclusion
The Government has identified Russia as the primary threat to the UK’s national security and continues to do good work to deter further Russian aggression. The Committee commends the Government for its continued military and financial assistance for Ukraine and its planned investment in sharpening the UK’s hard power, including through maintenance of the independent nuclear deterrent. In conjunction with NATO allies, the UK also continues to demonstrate a united front against Russian aggression by tightening the pressure on Moscow through use of sanctions and acting against the shadow fleet. (Conclusion, Paragraph 88)
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the committee's support for its work against the Russian threat and in aiding Ukraine. It reaffirms its commitment to working with NATO allies, taking a leadership role in European security, and mentions forthcoming plans like the Defence Investment Plan and Defence Readiness Bill.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the support from the Committee on the Government’s work to counter the threat from Russia and ensure Ukraine is supported militarily and financially in its defence against Russia’s illegal invasion. The Government will continue to work with NATO Allies to counter Russian aggression, as well as through other groupings in Europe as Europe continues to step up on defence, such as with the Joint Expeditionary Force where the UK is Framework Nation. The Government also agrees with the importance of the UK continuing to take a leadership role in a more European NATO. The Prime Minister set out his vision for this in his speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, where he noted the threat from Russia and the need for a stronger Europe and a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU, across defence, industry, tech, politics, and the wider economy. The Arctic and High North is a significant priority for the government as part of this work and the UK is participating in NATO’s Arctic Sentry activity that is strengthening NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will be published shortly. The Defence Readiness Bill should provide the Government with powers in reserve to mobilise the Reserves and industry, should a crisis escalate into conflict. It should also facilitate external scrutiny of UK warfighting readiness. The Government will respond in full to the Rycroft’s report findings within the coming months, but we are already taking immediate steps to implement his recommendations for a cap on donations made by overseas electors and for a moratorium on donations made via cryptocurrency, which we will implement through the Representation of the People Bill.