Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Rejected
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more...
Recommendation
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more critical to the national interest it is clear that stronger, more cohesive leadership is required. We recommend that a Minister for Space should be appointed within the Cabinet Office to provide clear centralised direction and accountability in taking forward the UK’s civil and defence ambitions in space. This new position must be sufficiently resourced and should be given appropriate authority to effectively co- ordinate and drive forward policy and delivery. (Paragraph 29) Skills and recruitment
Government Response Summary
The government does not accept the recommendation to appoint a Minister for Space within the Cabinet Office. It states that discussions on space will be taken by the most relevant Cabinet Committee. The Minister for Science at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has responsibility for Space in their portfolio.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
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.