Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Increase public awareness of attacks against the UK and outline national defence conversation measures
Recommendation
The public need to understand not only the necessity of defence but also their role in it. We are therefore very supportive of the concept of a national conversation on defence and recommend that the Government (and MOD in particular) seek to increase public awareness of recent attacks against the UK, including sabotage, and cyber-attacks, through regular public briefings. However, the MOD should not lead the national conversation— the responsibility for this must be personally led by the Prime Minister and held across the most senior levels of Government, recognising that this is a Cabinet-wide endeavour. In its response to this Report, the Government should set out the cross-Government measures it intends to take as part of the national conversation, including expected timeframes and responsibilities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 18) 56
Government Response Summary
The government states the Cabinet Office leads on national resilience and public communications, with work ongoing to develop further strategies and departments committed to the Resilience Action Plan's objectives. It highlights the Defence Secretary's speech and Chief of Defence Staff's lecture as examples of raising awareness.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
As acknowledged in the National Security Strategy (NSS) and Resilience Action Plan (RAP), the UK adopts a whole-of-society approach to national security. There is therefore an important role for business, civil society, and households to play in bolstering the nation’s resilience to shocks. The Cabinet Office has the overall lead within government on national resilience, ensuring coherence across government departments and setting the strategic direction for public-facing communications. This leadership role includes oversight of resilience planning and coordination of messaging during both routine and crisis scenarios. Departments are committed to delivering the communications objectives articulated in the Resilience Action Plan, with work ongoing to develop further public communications strategies that support national security and civil defence objectives. The Ministry of Defence is actively supporting this work. The Defence Secretary’s speech of 19 November 2025 set out the scale of threats we face, including from the Russian spy ship Yantar which threatened UK waters between 5 and 11 November. The Chief of the Defence Staff used his annual lecture at the Royal United Services Institute on 15 December 2025 to highlight the importance of a ‘a national conversation on defence and security, Within the MOD, the Department has published a Joint Concept Note designed to support decision-makers; a public version will be available shortly. In July, the Government published its RAP which commits to go further and drive a conversation on risks and preparedness with the public by communicating actions recommended for individuals, households, communities, and businesses to increase their own preparedness and resilience.