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Select committee: International Relations and Defence Committee

Government response to the UK defence policy: from aspiration to reality? report

Published 11 March 2023

International Relations and Defence Committee Defence concepts and capabilities: from aspiration to reality Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance

The government's response

This document responds to 1st Report - UK defence policy: from aspiration to reality?.

This is the government's response, published 11 March 2023.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the Committee's report but has published a response to only certain recommendations, saying a more detailed response will follow after the Integrated Review update and the Defence Command Paper update.

  • It agrees with the Committee's caution on drawing lessons from Ukraine and that more scrutiny is needed, and says it "must be careful not to rush to definitive lessons".
  • On weapons stocks, it "notes" the Committee's conclusions and cites contracts already placed for replenishment, but says exact stockpile details are classified and "any further commentary would be inappropriate".
  • On inflation and the 3 per cent of GDP marker, it says controls offer "some protection" but "will not cover the full extent of inflationary pressure". Further budget details are to come in the Spring Statement.
  • On the Army, it says that "any specific policy changes to the Army will be announced following the update to the DCP".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

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