Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Acknowledged
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers,...
Recommendation
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers, aimed at modernising UK defence and ensuring it has equipment suitable for the Information Age. Whilst the conclusions of Defence in a Competitive Age ought to be revisited in light of the conflict in Ukraine, the commitments made in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy ought to be implemented fully. We recognise that this will take time—we urge the MOD to ensure that the changes are seen through. (Paragraph 44) Prioritisation and potential pitfalls
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the support from the Committee in ensuring the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) is fully implemented, and notes progress made in several key areas, with ongoing work to change ways of working and challenge long-standing patterns of thinking.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We welcome the support from the Committee in ensuring the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) is fully implemented. Over 50 activities were announced in the strategy and significant progress has been achieved in several key areas, as outlined by the then-Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin in an update to Parliament on 18 May 2022. The Department is working hard on changing ways of working and challenging long-standing patterns of thinking, to reflect the new strategic approach and policy. As the Committee recognises, some commitments, particularly those involving legislative and behavioural change, will take longer. The Procurement Bill, which includes reform of the Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations, is at Committee Stage in the House of Lords and we expect Royal Assent in early 2023. The Bill also includes the powers needed to deliver the reforms to the Single Source Contract Regulations set out in the Command Paper published in April 2021. However, the Department is not limiting its ambitions to the commitments laid out in the strategy. The DSIS principles of transparency, communication, and a longer-term view of MOD priorities are being embedded into everyday practices and subsequent publications, including most recently the Defence Capability Framework which provides greater transparency on the Departments future plans. Government will continue to work closely with industry, academia and international partners to deliver the full range of commitments it sets out and ensure that the UK continues to have competitive, innovative and world-class defence and security industries. Within the MOD, the Minister for Defence Procurement is committed to keeping a close eye on implementation and along with the Secretary of State will be taking stock with Ministers from the other key government departments.