Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Acknowledged
Foreign policy decisions and consequent actions by UK Defence need to be supported by the...
Conclusion
Foreign policy decisions and consequent actions by UK Defence need to be supported by the UK public. The lack of organisation round the withdrawal from Afghanistan damaged the Government’s standing. However, so far, engagement with the public on the Russian offensive in Ukraine and British support for Ukraine has been regular and transparent. We welcome this approach: the Government needs to build on this. (Paragraph 32) The Integrated Review, Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy 59 The Government’s response to the evolving threat
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee on the importance of public engagement and stated that the UK public has consistently supported the MOD’s contribution to supporting Ukraine.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We agree with the Committee on the importance of public engagement. The MOD captures lessons from all operational communication activity, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, and works with the National Security Communications Team to ensure that these are reflected in wider Government communications. The UK public has consistently supported the MOD’s contribution to supporting Ukraine, with 74% approval for sending additional weaponry and supplies to Ukraine in March. This has remained high (71% in June), illustrating that the HMG narrative and comms effort on Ukraine is enabling continued public support for further assistance to Ukraine (YouGov poll 2022). MOD Communications has contributed to this through the provision of regular and transparent communications.