Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
5
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The UK Prime Minister must take a more prominent role in driving the delivery of AUKUS. Many of the challenges we identify in this report arise from a lack of funding or prioritisation within Government rather than any underlying structural or technical issues. More visible Prime Ministerial endorsement for AUKUS …
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The UK Prime Minister must take a more prominent role in driving the delivery of AUKUS. Many of the challenges we identify in this report arise from a lack of funding or prioritisation within Government rather than any underlying structural or technical issues. More visible Prime Ministerial endorsement for AUKUS will provide impetus and direction for Whitehall; without this leadership we are not confident that the cross-government coordination, prioritisation and pace required to deliver AUKUS will be achieved. (Recommendation, Paragraph 28)
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Government response AI summary
The government asserts that the Prime Minister is already taking a prominent role in AUKUS, citing existing commitments, investments in the submarine industrial base, and the appointment of a Special Representative as evidence of his leadership.
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Ministry of Defence
6
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
As we approach five years since AUKUS was launched, following changes of Government and with domestic reviews of the programme recently completed in all three partner nations, a natural opportunity arises for national leaders to convene and make a powerful joint statement underlining their continued commitment to the programme, sending …
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As we approach five years since AUKUS was launched, following changes of Government and with domestic reviews of the programme recently completed in all three partner nations, a natural opportunity arises for national leaders to convene and make a powerful joint statement underlining their continued commitment to the programme, sending a clear public message both domestically and to adversaries. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, stating it will continue to work closely with the US and Australia to identify opportunities for leaders to convene and communicate their unwavering commitment to the AUKUS partnership.
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Ministry of Defence
9
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The remit of the Prime Minister’s Special Representative is broad, with both domestic and international focus across a wide range of capabilities. If its functions are to be exercised effectively, it must be adequately supported by the Civil Service. Alongside the extension of the role, the staffing of the office …
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The remit of the Prime Minister’s Special Representative is broad, with both domestic and international focus across a wide range of capabilities. If its functions are to be exercised effectively, it must be adequately supported by the Civil Service. Alongside the extension of the role, the staffing of the office should be reviewed with a view to bolstering the resource available. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40) Engagement
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that as of 2025, a centralized team with dedicated resources has been established within the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office to support the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS.
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Ministry of Defence
11
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
Within an overarching dialogue about the role of defence in society, AUKUS offers an opportunity to demonstrate the more tangible benefits that a thriving defence industry can bring to local economies across the UK. Members of Parliament can play a key role in this messaging at constituency level, but our …
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Within an overarching dialogue about the role of defence in society, AUKUS offers an opportunity to demonstrate the more tangible benefits that a thriving defence industry can bring to local economies across the UK. Members of Parliament can play a key role in this messaging at constituency level, but our attempts to engage with the MOD to achieve this have so far been frustrated. In its response to this report, the MOD should set out how it will take a more proactive and open approach to working with Members, and to engaging with the media to achieve this shared goal. (Recommendation, Paragraph 46) Workforce and skills
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining current proactive engagement with MPs through various groups and committing to a future parliamentary briefing in Autumn 2026. It also detailed the 'National Endeavour' campaign and a recent publication to increase public awareness and highlight AUKUS benefits.
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Ministry of Defence
12
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
Whilst the groundwork has been laid for growing the nuclear workforce, the scale of the recruitment needed to deliver AUKUS calls for more creative solutions. These should harness existing strengths, such as the world- leading skills academies run by UK defence primes, and use the unique recruitment opportunity presented by …
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Whilst the groundwork has been laid for growing the nuclear workforce, the scale of the recruitment needed to deliver AUKUS calls for more creative solutions. These should harness existing strengths, such as the world- leading skills academies run by UK defence primes, and use the unique recruitment opportunity presented by the trilateral partnership to tap into new sources of talent. The Government should encourage and incentivise recruitment from geographic locations and demographics without strong existing links to defence, using AUKUS as a vehicle to extend skilled employment and prosperity across the UK. (Recommendation, Paragraph 54)
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the recommendation and details its comprehensive Nuclear Skills Plan (NSP), which is already implementing strategies to grow a diverse nuclear workforce through regional hubs, bursaries, bootcamps, a national attraction campaign, and substantial investment in doctoral students.
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Ministry of Defence
16
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
For the UK, delivering SSN-AUKUS will be a lengthy and complex undertaking requiring a sustained financial commitment from Government across several electoral cycles. It is deeply concerning that there are signs that the investment pipeline that underpins that commitment has already faltered. This cannot be allowed to happen again: the …
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For the UK, delivering SSN-AUKUS will be a lengthy and complex undertaking requiring a sustained financial commitment from Government across several electoral cycles. It is deeply concerning that there are signs that the investment pipeline that underpins that commitment has already faltered. This cannot be allowed to happen again: the need for timely and appropriate levels of investment must be prioritised within Whitehall. Shortfalls or delays in funding risk a failure to deliver SSN-AUKUS on time, with potentially severe consequences for UK and wider Euro-Atlantic security, and our standing with our trilateral partners. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the importance of sustained financial commitment to AUKUS and details over £6 billion allocated to transform the UK Submarine Base, including specific investments in Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters, demonstrating existing prioritisation.
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Ministry of Defence
20
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
With the successful delivery of SSN-AUKUS dependent on attracting and retaining a skilled workforce at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow, the Government must do more to ensure that the ambition laid out by Team Barrow is met. This will require additional funding from central Government to provide the investment in …
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With the successful delivery of SSN-AUKUS dependent on attracting and retaining a skilled workforce at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow, the Government must do more to ensure that the ambition laid out by Team Barrow is met. This will require additional funding from central Government to provide the investment in housing, healthcare, transport and education which the town urgently needs. Barrow’s unique role as the home of the UK’s submarine building capability means that failure to do so will jeopardise not only AUKUS, but also the nation’s defence and security. Put simply, the regeneration of Barrow is too big to fail. (Recommendation, Paragraph 92)
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, highlighting existing and new funding commitments including a £200m Transformation Fund, £7m for a health centre, £20m for the town centre, £5m Social Impact Fund, and over £24m for housing, demonstrating action to meet Team Barrow's ambition.
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Ministry of Defence
21
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
Although the planned regeneration is in its early stages, Team Barrow must ensure that visible change is seen on the ground as soon as possible to reassure the local community that their role in the national endeavour has been recognised, and that meaningful change is underway. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93) Pillar …
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Although the planned regeneration is in its early stages, Team Barrow must ensure that visible change is seen on the ground as soon as possible to reassure the local community that their role in the national endeavour has been recognised, and that meaningful change is underway. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93) Pillar 1 —Sustainment
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of visible change in Barrow, detailing ongoing initiatives like the Social Impact Fund, Barrow Work and Health Fund, town centre regeneration, and educational investments, while committing to continue prioritizing visible change and local engagement.
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Ministry of Defence
23
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
With submarine availability critically low, and against a backdrop of deepening concern about the readiness of the Royal Navy, the Government must deliver infrastructure improvements at HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde at pace to relieve pressure on the fleet. Failure to do so will risk the UK’s ability to meet …
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With submarine availability critically low, and against a backdrop of deepening concern about the readiness of the Royal Navy, the Government must deliver infrastructure improvements at HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde at pace to relieve pressure on the fleet. Failure to do so will risk the UK’s ability to meet its obligations under AUKUS whilst continuing to maintain security in the Euro-Atlantic. (Recommendation, Paragraph 108)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of these bases and states it is already making multi-billion, multi-decade investments in their redevelopment through the Clyde Transformation Programme and Devonport Major Infrastructure Portfolio to address historic underinvestment.
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Ministry of Defence
25
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The UK must throw its full support behind Australia’s development of new infrastructure in Perth, particularly the new Defence Precinct at Henderson. Close working between the UK and Australia at government and industry level will enable the UK to share its experience in constructing and operating its own nuclear sustainment …
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The UK must throw its full support behind Australia’s development of new infrastructure in Perth, particularly the new Defence Precinct at Henderson. Close working between the UK and Australia at government and industry level will enable the UK to share its experience in constructing and operating its own nuclear sustainment infrastructure, assisting Australia in expediting progress and allowing both countries to maximise the benefits to be gained by operating a common fleet. (Recommendation, Paragraph 112) Export controls
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the assessment and is committed to sharing its decades of experience in nuclear sustainment infrastructure, including workforce development, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure delivery, to support Australia's progress.
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Ministry of Defence
26
Conclusion
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The lifting of export control restrictions under AUKUS is a significant achievement for the partnership. It has the potential to bring immense benefits across UK defence. However, that potential will only be realised if Government removes barriers to participation and raises awareness across industry, encouraging businesses—including those which may not …
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The lifting of export control restrictions under AUKUS is a significant achievement for the partnership. It has the potential to bring immense benefits across UK defence. However, that potential will only be realised if Government removes barriers to participation and raises awareness across industry, encouraging businesses—including those which may not consider themselves to be traditional defence suppliers—to make the most of the opportunity presented. (Conclusion, Paragraph 120)
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights its active support for industry, including SMEs, to join the Authorised User Community, citing 404 registered entities and 18 outreach events by the International Export Controls team. It also mentions providing 1-2-1 guidance and successful processing of recent export licenses within standard …
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Ministry of Defence
27
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The Government should seek to identify those organisations which could benefit from membership of the Authorised User Community—especially SMEs—and proactively promote it to them, offering guidance and support where required. The new Defence Office for Small Business Growth should play a key role in this effort. The MOD must also …
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The Government should seek to identify those organisations which could benefit from membership of the Authorised User Community—especially SMEs—and proactively promote it to them, offering guidance and support where required. The new Defence Office for Small Business Growth should play a key role in this effort. The MOD must also work closely with the Department for Business and Trade to monitor applications and ensure that early delays to the granting of approvals are not repeated. (Recommendation, Paragraph 121) Pillar 2 delivery
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Government response AI summary
The government has actively supported industry, including SMEs, in joining the Authorised User Community, with 404 entities registered and 18 outreach events conducted by the International Export Controls team. The MOD also works with the Department for Business and Trade to monitor license applications, which …
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Ministry of Defence
28
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
With its aim of harnessing trilateral collaboration on advanced technologies, Pillar 2 has the potential to be transformative, but progress to date has been disappointing and inadequate. It now faces an uphill battle to restore credibility. In the short term, the Government must press for swift agreement within the trilateral …
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With its aim of harnessing trilateral collaboration on advanced technologies, Pillar 2 has the potential to be transformative, but progress to date has been disappointing and inadequate. It now faces an uphill battle to restore credibility. In the short term, the Government must press for swift agreement within the trilateral on priority projects which provide tangible benefit to the warfighter and their subsequent delivery at pace. The Government must also provide clarity around funding mechanisms so that industry is provided with the investment confidence needed to produce those capabilities at scale. (Recommendation, Paragraph 132)
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the recommendation and has announced the first Pillar II signature project for Uncrewed Undersea Vehicles, with delivery starting in 2027, to provide tangible benefits to the warfighter. It also highlights other achievements including AUKUS-designed AI algorithms and UUV launches from submarines.
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Ministry of Defence
30
Recommendation
8th Report - AUKUS
Accepted
The MOD must work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Education, to drive a truly joined-up, whole-of-government approach to Pillar 2. The Government must also do more to involve SMEs directly in Pillar 2 activities, harnessing their agility and innovation to enhance capability …
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The MOD must work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Education, to drive a truly joined-up, whole-of-government approach to Pillar 2. The Government must also do more to involve SMEs directly in Pillar 2 activities, harnessing their agility and innovation to enhance capability development. (Recommendation, Paragraph 141) Expanding Pillar 2
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of a whole-of-government approach, citing existing collaboration between defence, science, and education communities. It accepts the need to involve SMEs, detailing existing engagement through forums and challenges, and commits to expanding their participation as Pillar II scales.
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Ministry of Defence