8th Report - Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations
- HC No.
- HC 387
- Published
- 26 Jun 2018
- Items
- 0
- Government response
- Government response published 20 September 2018. Read the government's response ↗
Select committee: Defence Committee
Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations inquiry
Closed
Opened 21 Sep 2017
Closed 21 Sep 2017
Defence Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The 'special relationship' and NATO are the cornerstones of UK defence. The new administrations in the UK and US face a number of complex international challenges, ranging from a resurgent Russia to the threat of international terrorism, raising questions about NATO’s strategic focus and capabilities. This inquiry will explore how the administrations can build upon the ‘special relationship’ to address these challenges. Previous inquiry: The indispensable ally? US, NATO and UK Defence relations Previous inquiry: Written and oral evidence
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 21 September 2017.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 8th Report - Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations on 26 June 2018.
The government's response
Published 20 September 2018.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government welcomes the report and reaffirms that NATO is at the heart of UK defence policy, agreeing with several conclusions while expressly not accepting that the UK fails to lead by example on defence spending.
- On interoperability and decision-making, the Government says it agrees with the Committee's view on interoperability, and on speed of decision-making it "agree[s] with its assessment" and will "continue to take a leadership role".
- On withdrawal from Germany, it states that it "remains the Government’s plan to return all formed Army units from Germany", while the Secretary of State has endorsed an aspiration after 2020 to continue training there and keep storage facilities.
- On a war reserve of equipment, it says retaining equipment is an option, and "deciding to take this option for equipment depends on whether retaining the equipment is considered the most cost-effective decision".
- On the Committee's call to work towards 3% of GDP, the Government states it is committed to spending at least 2% of GDP and to increasing the MoD's budget by at least 0.5% above inflation every year of this Parliament.
Reports
All reportsEvidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 22 May 2018
Recent activity
- 9th Special Report - Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report20 September 2018, Report published
- 8th Report - Indispensable allies: US, NATO and UK Defence relations26 June 2018, Report published
- Oral evidence session22 May 2018, Oral evidence
Reports
Oral evidence sessions
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