Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 27
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to...
Recommendation
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to space activity both across Whitehall and within the Ministry of Defence. The creation of the National Space Council and the MoD’s Space Directorate were recognised by witnesses as being positive developments in this regard. As we came to the end of our inquiry, we were therefore both surprised and concerned to note that the Government has removed the National Space Council from the list of Cabinet Committees, and that the Space Directorate looks set to be disbanded. In its response to this report the Department must provide an explanation for these changes. It should set out what new governance arrangements have been put in place and why it believes they will be more effective at swiftly implementing the vision set out in the National and Defence Space Strategies.
Government Response Summary
The government states its commitment to developing the UK as a space nation, details the Cabinet Committee structure, lists ministerial responsibilities, and describes the role of the National Space Board and UK Space Command.
Paragraph Reference:
27
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The National Space Strategy and the Defence Space Strategy demonstrate the Government’s commitment to developing the UK as a space nation. The Prime Minister announced the Cabinet Committee structure in November as set out on gov.uk. Discussions on space will be taken by the most relevant Cabinet Committee. The terms of reference for the current Committees are available on gov.uk. The Minister for Science at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has responsibility for Space in their portfolio. In the MOD, the Minister for Defence Procurement, the Minister for Armed Forces and the Minister of State in the House of Lords all have a strong interest in the space agenda from their different perspectives. Ministerial governance for space is supported by the National Space Board, which is the central hub for cross-government coordination and decision-making on space. It drives and oversees the implementation of the National Space Strategy. The National Space Board is co-chaired by Directors from BEIS and the MOD, has senior representation from across key departments, and is supported by a joint team from the MOD and BEIS. The governance of space within Defence has evolved to reflect the growing maturity of the space enterprise. The establishment of UK Space Command and the transition of the Space Directorate into extant structures is part of the Department’s commitment to integrate the Space Domain into our business as usual. Space Policy is now integrated within the MOD’s Security Policy and Operations area, enabling improved alignment with other operational and policy teams. Strategic and integrated direction from Head Office, combined with an established Space Command, will ensure the effective implementation of the Defence Space Strategy. Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) is addressed under conclusions ten and eleven.