Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 34
34
Rejected
The Government should provide a clear, written definition of what a sovereign capability is, including...
Recommendation
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 critical supply chains, critical minerals and investment, and export security, and should be agreed across government. Relevant departments must have regard to these definitions when making any decisions around investment and support both for firms developing sovereign capabilities and for higher education institutions researching emerging technologies. (Recommendation, Paragraph 153)
Government Response Summary
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 or revealing vulnerabilities.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, where dependencies are increasingly weaponised, our approach to sovereign capability must be dynamic. Instead of a strict definition we need a flexible approach which takes account of multiple factors, including but not limited to those listed by the committee, and which adapts to changes over time. Any published list risks becoming outdated as technologies advance, and risks inadvertently telegraphing our specific vulnerabilities to hostile actors or signalling areas of strategic strength to competitors. Businesses need clarity and certainty to invest. We are delivering that certainty not through a restrictive list, but through our strategic frameworks. Our Industrial Strategy provides clear, long-term signalling to industry on our priority eight high-growth sectors, as well as the foundational sectors on which they rely. Alongside this, the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA) provides a robust, predictable, and transparent regime for businesses, clearly outlining the 17 sensitive areas of the economy where we will safeguard assets from hostile foreign investment. The DIP will also set out the UK’s capability priorities for the next ten years, providing a clear signal to industry.