Select committee: Defence Committee
Recommendation 22
6th Report - The UK contribution to European Security
Published 19 Nov 2025
Addressed to Ministry of Defence
Defence Committee The UK contribution to European Security All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The long-standing issues with security vetting must be addressed. In response to this Report we expect the Government to set out how it intends to reduce waiting times. In addition, we recommend that the Government explore having a single clearance process used across all Government departments and agencies. Furthermore, we suggest that the Government considers adapting its regional testing and evaluation ranges into hubs so that cleared individuals without access to suitable certified premises can use these hubs to take part in classified procurement, as well as for testing and evaluation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88) 59
From: Defence Committee, 6th Report - The UK contribution to European Security (HC 520), 19 November 2025
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 30 January 2026 (deadline 19 January 2026).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government's response to the Defence Committee's report on the UK contribution to European security outlines its approach under a 'NATO First' strategy, setting out many ongoing measures and deferring several decisions to the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
- On capability priorities, it says it is "considering where to prioritise investment", including UK involvement in EU capability development programmes, and that choices "will be detailed in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan".
- On a second sovereign nuclear delivery method, it states that a submarine-based system "remains the most effective and proportionate means" of delivering the deterrent, and that F-35A aircraft will "complement, rather than replace" it.
- On a Minister of Homeland Security, it says it "continues to judge" that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Security Minister "remain suitable leads".
- On Defence Readiness legislation, it is reviewing which powers may be needed and will engage stakeholders "during 2026", but says it does "not yet have a specific timetable" for the legislation.