Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 25
In its response to this report, the Government should set out how and when the...
Recommendation
In its response to this report, the Government should set out how and when the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers will be involved in the Review process. Additionally, we seek clarity regarding: a. Which Cabinet Minister will chair the Review process in the Prime Minister’s absence b. What role the No 10 Policy Unit and Specialist Advisers will play in the Review process The Government should: c. Set out the respective roles and responsibilities of the NSC and its relevant sub-committees, the Cabinet and Government Departments in the Review process d. Explain what role the National Security Adviser and NSC(O) will play in the Review process and what role the National Security Strategy and Implementation Group will play in driving integration at an official level, and e. Explain whether thematic workstreams have been identified.
Paragraph Reference:
25
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Integrated Review is led by the Prime Minister and delivered through the National Security Council (NSC). The NSC(O) supports the NSC. The Foreign Secretary, as First Secretary of State, is also chairing a Ministerial Small Group to support the process. The Small Group has submitted political advice to the Prime Minister on some of the critical policy issues. While the NSC is the main forum for Integrated Review policy decisions, other Ministerial fora such as the National Space Council will make decisions within their remit that will be reflected in the final strategy. The Cabinet Secretariat Integrated Review team is led by Alex Ellis (Deputy National Security Adviser for the Integrated Review) who reports to the National Security Adviser. The team is responsible for coordinating the cross-Whitehall policy process, document drafting and engagement coordination. The No.10 Integrated Review Taskforce is a small group comprising experts and officials in the No.10 Policy Unit and includes one special adviser (Professor John Bew, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser). The Taskforce supports the Prime Minister and works closely with the Cabinet Secretariat team to ensure that the Government’s priorities are being delivered through the Integrated Review. The Review has focused its work so far on five thematic workstreams: I. Resilience; II. Foreign policy (covering UK in the world and global issues); III. Defence; IV. Science, technology and data; and V. Strengthening HMG’s systems. Third Special Report of Session 2019–21 3