Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Assess whether Armed Forces reductions will likely reduce capacity for MACA tasks.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Defence should assess whether continued reductions in the size of the Armed Forces will likely result in Defence accepting fewer MACA tasks requested by Government over the coming decades, and if so should ensure wider Government is fully aware of the implications of this, including the need for alternative non-regular- forces capacity. (Paragraph 48) Defence as a global leader for tackling climate change
Government Response Summary
The government has commissioned DSTL to undertake a review of Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) activity, due for completion by end 2023. This review will assess historical engagement, future predictions based on climate change, and operational risks, which could inform future discussions on alternative capacity.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
. The MOD has a distinct and clearly defined role supporting lead government departments, the Devolved Administrations, and civil authorities as they prepare, respond and recover from disruptive challenges and major national events. This is detailed in UK Operations: The Defence Contribution to Resilience (JDP 02).4 Current Military Aid to the Civil Authority (MACA) policy is that MACA tasks, with very few exceptions, are not resourced from dedicated military capabilities. The MOD’s planning and liaison staff regularly review plans with civil authorities and other government departments as trends change to ensure support is provided, as appropriate. The MOD has also commissioned DSTL to undertake a review of MACA and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) activity, to be complete by end 2023. This study will look specifically at: historical military engagement in these roles; future prediction of military engagement, using Meteorological Office climate change projections; mapping potential military engagement against predicted operational deployments; and understanding any operational risks from supporting MACA and HADR. Understanding these future risks could inform any future discussions about the potential requirement for alternative capacity to assist/carry out MACA tasks.