Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 36
We believe earlier use could have been made of Defence’s unique capabilities and skills, notably...
Recommendation
We believe earlier use could have been made of Defence’s unique capabilities and skills, notably in the areas of strategic planning and crisis management. We are surprised that lessons from earlier crises were not learnt and that as a result the Armed Forces’ unique capabilities were not properly used. It appears that there is more work to be done to fulfil the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review’s intent of better educating wider government, the Devolved Administrations and local government about what Defence can do. The Government must ensure that Defence is consulted as early as possible in future such scenarios and that other government departments and agencies are fully aware of the range of capabilities Defence can offer.
Paragraph Reference:
36
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government notes the Committee’s recommendations. The Armed Forces have a culture of ‘getting after a problem’ and a structure that supports a ‘Plan, Refine and then Execute’ approach. This helps them bring organisation and composure in times of crisis, harness the most appropriate expertise and capabilities for the task, and assist the subject matter experts and those responsible for the response. But it should be noted that providing National Resilience is not their core responsibility, it is a biproduct of their job and Defence rightly plays a supporting role. We continue to work very closely with the Cabinet Office, key stakeholders across Whitehall, the Devolved Administrations, local government organisations and their resilience teams, and first responders across the UK, to ensure that the unique capabilities of Defence are understood and used in the most appropriate and effective manner.