Recommendations & Conclusions
17 items
2
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
In its response to this report, the Government should set out how and when the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers will be involved in the Review process. Additionally, we seek clarity regarding: a. Which Cabinet Minister will chair the Review process in the Prime Minister’s absence b. What role …
Government response. The Integrated Review is led by the Prime Minister and delivered through the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC(O) supports the NSC. The Foreign Secretary, as First Secretary of State, is also chairing a Ministerial Small Group to support the …
Ministry of Defence
3
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
The Review should assess and report on the effectiveness of existing Government structures and policies designed to facilitate cross- Government collaboration. This should include a review of the National Security Council and associated policy frameworks and funds, such as the Fusion Doctrine and the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. If …
Government response. The Review is considering all cross-Government collaboration in the context of our national security and international policy, strategy and delivery, including assessing the effectiveness of all relevant structures and systems.
Ministry of Defence
4
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
To ensure lessons are learned from previous security and defence Reviews, the Integrated Review should engage with a wide range of stakeholders who were engaged in or scrutinised previous Reviews and the policies, programmes and military deployments that flowed from them.
Government response. When he launched the Review, the Prime Minister was clear that it should be as open and transparent as possible. Throughout the Review, officials across departments have met with former Ministers, senior national security officials as well as former defence …
Ministry of Defence
5
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
The Government should review how far these activities were aligned with or deviated from the outcomes of previous Reviews, in order to better In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated Review 55 understand how to ensure the Integrated Review provides a sustainable and actionable framework for the future. In …
Government response. a. and b.) The Integrated Review approach has reflected on lessons from previous reviews, including in framing early political direction and use of evidence and challenge. The including, but not limited to, assessment of Government’s systems and capabilities; deep analysis …
Ministry of Defence
6
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
We welcome the Government’s ambition to conduct the “deepest” and “most radical review since the Cold War.” At a time of such geopolitical and economic uncertainty, it is vital that the Review involves thorough consideration of the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy as well …
Government response. The Government agrees with the Committee that appropriate challenge is critical to delivering the Integrated Review. External challenge is being invited and incorporated into the Integrated Review across the board, including through targeted workshops. We have set up an integrated, …
Ministry of Defence
7
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
It remains to be seen whether the foreign policy aspect of the Review will produce a distinct Foreign Policy Strategy or whether this will be combined with a National Security Strategy. Whether the Review produces one, two, or three documents, we have heard that it must first clearly identify the …
Government response. The Integrated Review is addressing all of these issues.
Ministry of Defence
8
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
We have heard that in order to identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy, the Review must clearly articulate the UK’s interests and values. Whilst scrutiny of the UK’s foreign policy falls to the Foreign Affairs Committee, from a defence perspective we believe that …
Government response. All of these points will be addressed. The review will consider the ends, ways and means of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy.
Ministry of Defence
9
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Particularly at a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, it is vital that the foreign policy aspect of the review reflects the UK’s understanding of, and ambitions for, its international relationships and partnerships. Our colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee are conducting an inquiry into the foreign policy aspects of the …
Government response. The Integrated Review will define the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy – setting out how the UK will be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation. …
Ministry of Defence
10
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
It remains to be seen whether the forthcoming Review will include an update to the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) or whether a new approach will emerge. Whether or not the Review uses the terminology of the NSRA, we suggest that if this aspect of the Review is to provide …
Government response. The National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) is produced every two years and assesses the likelihood and impact of the most serious, malicious and non-malicious risks facing the UK or its interests overseas. The methodology underpinning the assessment is regularly Third …
Ministry of Defence
11
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
We welcome the Review’s focus on intensifying geopolitical competition in light of COVID-19. To deliver a robust assessment of the capabilities and short and long term ambitions of hostile foreign states, the Review must consider the full range of Russia and China’s economic, diplomatic and military activities and include a …
Government response. The Integrated Review has drawn on all source assessment of many countries’ current and future capability, intent (including internal dynamics and drivers) and the implications for UK national security.
Ministry of Defence
12
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Existing spending commitments are a necessary but insufficient basis for approaching funding decisions in the Integrated Review. Whilst the economic outlook for the UK remains uncertain, it is imperative that funding considerations are informed by the Review’s strategic analysis and not the other way around. The Integrated Review should look …
Government response. We have not limited our thinking by setting unnecessary constraints or red lines. That is why we are running the Comprehensive Spending Review in parallel to the Integrated Review; to ensure that Departments are equipped with the resources to enact …
Ministry of Defence
13
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
To ensure that the Review considers the ways, ends and means of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy in the round, the Government must set out the mechanisms that will be used to ensure the alignment between the Integrated Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review and clarify the …
Government response. The Government is keenly aware that ambition must be tied to resource, and so the Integrated and Comprehensive Spending Reviews will remain closely aligned to ensure that Departments are equipped with the resources they need to enact the Integrated Review’s …
Ministry of Defence
14
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
We urge the Government to consider a long-term multi-year financial settlement for defence, in order to ensure that the Integrated Review provides a reliable basis for planning the UK’s future defence posture. In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated Review 58 Without this assurance, ongoing issues with the affordability …
Government response. The Comprehensive Spending Review will provide a multiyear financial settlement for Defence to enable the delivery of the policy priorities set out in the Integrated Review. The Government position on the Comprehensive Spending Review has not changed.
Ministry of Defence
15
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
The Integrated Review is an opportunity for the Ministry of Defence to explain how our Armed Forces will fight in the future. It is promising that work is underway to develop new operating concepts but it is vitally important that this work is communicated to wider Government stakeholders involved in …
Government response. The Integrated Operating Concept 2025, launched by the Secretary of State for Defence and Chief of the Defence Staff on 30 September 2020, sets out a new approach to the utility of armed force in an era of persistent competition. …
Ministry of Defence
16
Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Capability decisions made as part of the Review should be informed by the Review’s foreign policy analysis, threat and risk assessment and defence operating concepts. Defence planning assumptions and the UK’s overall defence posture should be reviewed, and informed by the following questions: a. What platforms, weapons and personnel, readiness …
Government response. Third Special Report of Session 2019–21 9 The Integrated Review is a unique moment for Defence to rebalance and prepare our forces for persistent global engagement and campaigning, with the ability to transition between operating and warfighting as required. We …
Ministry of Defence
17
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
Given that systemic challenges have not been resolved in the previous thirteen reviews of defence procurement, we doubt that the Integrated Review will come up with even a short-term fix. We believe that the Review ought to address the strategic issues that should underpin the UK’s approach to defence procurement, …
Government response. a) In March 2020, the Government launched a cross-Government review of the UK’s defence and security industry sectors. This work, being led by the MOD but carried out with input from across Whitehall, is considering the defence and security industry …
Ministry of Defence
18
Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integr…
We have heard that external engagement in the Review process provides a challenge function to the Government’s understanding, can act as an early signpost to stakeholders who can contribute to achieving the UK’s security and defence priorities and contributes to the legitimacy of the review’s outcomes. External consultation must be …
Government response. The Government is keen to ensure that some of the best minds in the UK and beyond are feeding into the Review’s conclusions and challenging traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking. a) Several informal briefings to MPs and peers have taken …
Ministry of Defence