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The UK contribution to European Security

Status: Closed Opened: 3 Dec 2024 Closed: 8 May 2026 16 recommendations 19 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will examine the UK’s contribution to European Security. It will examine the UK's contribution to NATO and its bilateral defence relationships with other European countries. This inquiry will look at the UK's contribution to multilateral frameworks outside of NATO. In addition, it will explore the UK's NATO and non-NATO European commitments. The inquiry … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - The UK contribution to European Security HC 520 19 Nov 2025 35 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
33 Recommendation 6th Report - The UK contribution to Eur… Rejected

Create a Minister of Homeland Security to deliver defence and resilience programmes.

We reiterate our previous recommendation for the creation of a Minister of Homeland Security who should be responsible for delivery of the Home Defence Programme alongside the Resilience Action Plan and a public engagement strategy. (Recommendation, Paragraph 126) 61 Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that national security is handled by existing ministerial roles (Chief Secretary to the PM and Security Minister) across departments, which it deems the most efficient structure.
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Ministry of Defence
35 Recommendation 6th Report - The UK contribution to Eur… Rejected

Set out timetable for defence readiness legislation and provide regular parliamentary updates.

The Government should set out its timetable with key milestones for the defence readiness legislation in its response to this report, including its approach to pre-legislative scrutiny, and ensure that it has a strategy for engagement with Parliament and the UK public. Prior to the introduction of the legislation, we … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government stated it does not yet have a specific timetable for the Defence Readiness legislation and is still reviewing legal powers and developing measures, with stakeholder engagement planned for 2026.
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Ministry of Defence

Oral evidence sessions

7 sessions
Date Witnesses
8 Jul 2025 Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin · Ministry of Defence, Jim Carter · Ministry of Defence, Luke Pollard MP · Ministry of Defence, Paul Wyatt · Ministry of Defence View ↗
1 Jul 2025 Fenella McGerty · International Institute for Strategic Studies, Nicholas Nelson · Archangel VC Fund, Rob Murray · Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group View ↗
13 May 2025 Dr. Alastair McGibbon · Space Forge Ltd, Dr Rob Johnson · Pembroke College, University of Oxford, Mr Ken Turley · RUK Advanced System Ltd View ↗
29 Apr 2025 Dr Rowan Allport · The Human Security Centre, Mr William Freer · Council on Geostrategy, Professor Peter Roberts · Centre for Public Understanding of Defence and Security, University of Exeter View ↗
1 Apr 2025 Dr Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer · German Marshall Fund of the US, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman KCMG CBE PC FBA · Kings College London View ↗
4 Mar 2025 Andrew Kinniburgh · Make UK Defence, Julian David OBE · techUK, Kevin Craven · ADS Group - Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space View ↗
28 Jan 2025 Armida Van Rij · Chatham House, Ed Arnold · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) View ↗

Who gave evidence

20 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin · Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff, Military St… Ministry of Defence 1
Andrew Kinniburgh · General Director Make UK Defence 1
Armida Van Rij · Senior Research Fellow & Head of Europe Programme Chatham House 1
Dr Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer · Acting President German Marshall Fund of the US 1
Dr Rob Johnson · Director of the Strategy, Statecraft, & Technolog… Pembroke College, University of Oxford 1
Dr Rowan Allport · Deputy Director The Human Security Centre 1
Dr. Alastair McGibbon · Head of Semiconductors Space Forge Ltd 1
Ed Arnold · Senior Research Fellow, European Security Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) 1
Fenella McGerty · Senior Fellow for Defence Economics International Institute for Strategic Studies 1
Jim Carter · Director General Commercial and Industry Ministry of Defence 1
Julian David OBE · CEO techUK 1
Kevin Craven · Chief Executive Officer ADS Group - Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space 1
Luke Pollard MP · Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Ministry of Defence 1
Mr Ken Turley · Former CEO RUK Advanced System Ltd 1
Mr William Freer · Research Fellow in National Security Council on Geostrategy 1
Nicholas Nelson · General Partner Archangel VC Fund 1
Paul Wyatt · Director General, Policy Ministry of Defence 1
Professor Peter Roberts · Associate Fellow Centre for Public Understanding of Defence and Security, University of Exeter 1
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman KCMG CBE PC FBA · Emeritus Professor of War Studies Kings College London 1
Rob Murray · CEO Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group 1