Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
4th Report – The National Security Strategy
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
HC 1045
Published 27 March 2026
Recommendations
10
Acknowledged
The Government must provide greater clarity on its plans to develop additional resilience capabilities beyond...
Recommendation
The Government must provide greater clarity on its plans to develop additional resilience capabilities beyond 2027, and ensure that the 1.5% target spend on security and resilience prioritises investment in systems that can help build long-term resilience, in addition to …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the 1.5% NATO target for security and resilience spending, stating it expects to reach it by 2027 and will report spending lines to NATO shortly. However, it does not provide specific clarity on plans for developing additional resilience capabilities beyond 2027 or by the next NATO summit.
Cabinet Office
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Conclusions (8)
4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Soft power is a crucial source of UK influence and security abroad. Its erosion would have direct security consequences, most clearly in Africa, where Russia and China are increasingly filling the space left by the withdrawal of the soft power presence of the UK and allies. Official Development Assistance and …
Government Response Summary
The government agreed on the vital role of soft power and described its ongoing efforts, including the establishment of the UK Soft Power Council and a refined ODA approach focused on stability and conflict prevention, while ensuring stable grant funding for key institutions.
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The lack of clarity over which departments are responsible for which areas of national security policy hampers the possibility for external scrutiny and challenge of national security policy delivery. Our opinion was further solidified when the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology declined to put forward a minister to give …
Government Response Summary
The government described its internal approach for accountability, assigning lead departments and offering to update the committee on progress. It supported the principle of ministerial accountability but reserved the right to determine which minister is best placed to attend.
19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Global and UK security is poorly served by the increasing tensions brought about by great power competition between the United States and China. If this process continues to accelerate, the economic shock costs of military confrontation will go down, making conflict more likely. The post-war security settlement has served the …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion that global security is challenged by increasing tensions, stating that it aligns with the National Security Strategy's acknowledgement of radical uncertainty and the need for statecraft to adapt.
21
Conclusion
Acknowledged
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 …
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.
23
Conclusion
Acknowledged
China poses a clear long-term national security threat to the UK—both directly through its malicious targeting of UK interests, and indirectly through its support to Russia over the Ukraine conflict. We have concerns that the Government is not striking the right balance—and indeed about whether it is prepared to accept …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges China's long-term national security threat and states it is taking a strategic approach that balances economic engagement with robust challenge, citing existing measures like the NSI Act and ongoing diplomatic engagement with China regarding Russia.
28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s efforts to diversify partnerships, illustrated by deepening trade and security collaboration with India and engagements with Gulf countries. This work is crucial both to ensuring the UK can draw on breadth and depth in its partnerships to support economic growth, and improve resilience during periods of …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of pursuing strategic relationships and highlights its ongoing efforts, including new partnerships with Japan, Indonesia, and India, and the use of instruments like the National Security and Investment Act.
30
Conclusion
Acknowledged
A credible, sustainable and independent UK nuclear deterrent is integral to UK national security, and as a buffer against allied proliferation in an era of fast-changing nuclear risks. (Conclusion, Paragraph 135)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, highlighting existing measures such as the NSS and SDR outlining the threat, £6bn investment in nuclear submarine facilities, and deepened nuclear cooperation with France.
33
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We appreciate that the definition of sovereignty will differ by sector and by degree. However, the general lack of clarity on definitions and objectives complicates research and development planning and investment. The UK has a strong base of talent and skills in emerging technologies— artificial intelligence in particular—where some level …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for clarity but states they will not provide a strict definition of sovereignty, opting instead for a flexible approach through strategic frameworks like the Industrial Strategy and National Security and Investment Act. They believe these existing mechanisms, alongside the forthcoming DIP, provide sufficient certainty and signalling for industry.