Fourth Report: A brave new Britain? The future of the UK’s international policy

Select Committee

Foreign Affairs Committee HC 380 22 October 2020

Report Status Government responded

Conclusions & Recommendations 19 items (7 recs)

Source View on Parliament website

Government Response (AI assessment · 19 of 19 classified)

Accepted 3

Acknowledged 11

Deferred 1

Not Addressed 3

Rejected 1

Government response

Eighth Special Report: A brave new Britain? The future of the UK’s international policy: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report · published 13 Jan 2021

Read the government response ↗ Response on the tracker

Recommendations & Conclusions

19 results

1 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 2

The Integrated Review is a timely and necessary response to a world characterised by ever-strengthening...

Conclusion

The Integrated Review is a timely and necessary response to a world characterised by ever-strengthening interconnection and rapid technological change.

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with the committee's assessment that the Integrated Review is timely and necessary, confirming it will address the pace and nature of technological change.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

2 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 3

The world is increasingly riven by global competition rather than cooperation.

Conclusion

The world is increasingly riven by global competition rather than cooperation.

Government Response Summary

The government agreed with the committee's observation that geopolitical change and competition are major global trends, and stated its intent to use the Integrated Review to define the UK's role in this context.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

3 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 4

In part, this global competition is driven by geo–political change.

Conclusion

In part, this global competition is driven by geo–political change. But this global competition is also a battle between competing visions and mindsets. And the global competition is increasingly one between different technical systems.

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the growing complexity within the international system, noting both positive aspects of the multilateral response to COVID-19 and weaknesses that require strengthening of organisations and investment in new, agile partnerships.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

4 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 5

Such competition has stalled, and to some degree reversed, cooperation through multilateral organisations.

Conclusion

Such competition has stalled, and to some degree reversed, cooperation through multilateral organisations. The drive towards international arbitration is increasingly challenged by great power rivalry and influence projection. The world lacks consensus-building leadership. Global divides are widening, and there is … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the committee's observation of increasing geopolitical friction and the contested international order. It reaffirms the UK's commitment to strengthening the international system and outlines its calibrated approach to engaging with nations like Russia and China, balancing cooperation with firmness on issues like human rights and security.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

5 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 6

An increasingly assertive and revisionist China has created geo-political friction with a more introspective United...

Conclusion

An increasingly assertive and revisionist China has created geo-political friction with a more introspective United States. China and Russia, as leading authoritarian and revisionist powers, have also been more adept than their ideological rivals at realising where their capacity for … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with the committee's observation of increasing geopolitical friction and acknowledges the contested international order, elaborating on its calibrated approach to Russia and China.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

6 Conclusion Accepted

Para 7

The UK’s own international policy has been adrift.

Conclusion

The UK’s own international policy has been adrift. It has lacked clarity.

Government Response Summary

The government refutes the claim of lacking clarity by outlining its ongoing commitment to upholding international law, democracy, and human rights, citing the Magnitsky sanctions regime and support for international criminal justice.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

7 Conclusion Rejected

Para 8

It has also lacked confidence.

Conclusion

It has also lacked confidence. Our contributors the world over were clear that the UK has recently appeared less ambitious and more absent in its global role

Government Response Summary

The government explicitly disagrees with the committee's observation that the UK has lacked confidence or ambition, asserting its goal to maximise international impact through integrated operations and the FCDO merger.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

8 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 9

None of our contributors wanted the UK to stand back or keep quiet.

Conclusion

None of our contributors wanted the UK to stand back or keep quiet. All of them urged the UK to step up, do more, and play a more impactful role in the world. They highlighted the positive contribution that the … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the call for the UK to play a more impactful role, stating that the upcoming Integrated Review will define its long-term strategic aims for national security and foreign policy. This review will outline the government's ambition for the UK to be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

9 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 10

The UK has good reason to be confident in the capabilities of the Foreign, Commonwealth...

Conclusion

The UK has good reason to be confident in the capabilities of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which were praised by contributors from around the world.

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with the praise for the FCDO's capabilities, detailing a £65 million increase in non-ODA funding, the ongoing FCDO merger, and its enhanced role in coordinating UK ODA.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

10 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 11

The UK has a strong capacity to use its memberships and influence to bring countries...

Conclusion

The UK has a strong capacity to use its memberships and influence to bring countries together in dialogue. Contributors also admired the UK as a pragmatic country whose thought leadership, and the legal drafting capabilities of the FCDO’s lawyers, can … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the UK's capacity and influence by outlining its plans for the G7 Presidency, COP26, and leadership in digital trade and ODA-funded research, demonstrating its ongoing work in these areas.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

11 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 12

But the UK will have the greatest impact abroad if it uses its range of...

Conclusion

But the UK will have the greatest impact abroad if it uses its range of assets and capabilities coherently. It is unlikely that the merger of the Department for A brave new Britain? The future of the UK’s international policy … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the need for coherent use of assets and capabilities, describing its commitment through increased defence spending, the establishment of the National Cyber Force, and a strategy to use the full spectrum of sovereign capabilities to address threats.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

12 Recommendation Acknowledged

Para 15

The Integrated Review must address a lack of clear strategic vision, a lack of confidence,...

Recommendation

The Integrated Review must address a lack of clear strategic vision, a lack of confidence, and lack of coherent implementation that has undermined recent international policy by the UK. The Review should respond, and be seen to respond, to the … Read more The Integrated Review must address a lack of clear strategic vision, a lack of confidence, and lack of coherent implementation that has undermined recent international policy by the UK. The Review should respond, and be seen to respond, to the consultation that it has undertaken and the challenge that a robust review requires. It should publish its evidence base transparently, showing that future policy has a broad and strong foundation. And, for Global Britain to be more than just a slogan, the Review must provide: i) a clear articulation of the UK’s interests and values, and of their roles in a coherent strategy for the UK’s international policy ii) clear and limited priorities within designated timeframes iii) meaningful and targeted resources with which to deliver iv) greater coherence and alignment among UK levers of influence, and therefore greater impact abroad v) an unambiguous leadership role for the diplomatic service. The Government has committed to spend 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance (ODA), and we agree with the Government that UK diplomats must play the leading role in coordinating how this money is spent. But we recommend that the resourcing of the UK’s diplomatic service itself be directed by the UK’s strategic needs and must not be skewed by the requirements of ODA eligibility. (Paragraph 13) The UK’s response i) The UK, like all countries, has limits to its resources and reach. Those pressures will be even greater during the challenging economic circumstances created by Covid-19. To avoid overstretch, and remain credible, its international policy must be based on limited and adequately resourced priorities. ii) Given the challenges that that the world will face, we agree with the Government that the UK has a contribution to make as a ‘problem-solving and burden-sharing nation.’ iii) The UK should also be an inclusive nation that opens opportunities for others. The Government should use the UK’s convening power, its thought leadershi Show less

Government Response Summary

The government is committed to strengthening its position and states the Integrated Review will bring together all relevant instruments and foster a whole-of-government approach, citing the FCDO merger and MOD funding as examples of ongoing efforts.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

13 Recommendation Not Addressed

Para 16

The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity...

Recommendation

The UK intends to prioritise its promotion of trade, and trade policy has the capacity to become a significant aspect of the UK’s international influence. But, if it is not coordinated with other UK priorities abroad, then the elevation of … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government's response discusses its commitment to strong ties with European states and its prioritization of the Indo-Pacific region, detailing initiatives like pursuing ASEAN Dialogue Partnership status and CPTPP accession. However, it entirely fails to address the recommendation for deeper strategic coordination between the Department for International Trade and the FCDO to ensure policy coherence.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

14 Recommendation Not Addressed

Para 17

We recommend that, as part of its problem-solving and burden sharing role, the FCDO prioritises...

Recommendation

We recommend that, as part of its problem-solving and burden sharing role, the FCDO prioritises mediation, conflict resolution, and atrocity prevention. And we recommend that the Government equips the FCDO with an enhanced and institutionalised capability to coordinate with the … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government response does not address the recommendation to prioritise mediation, conflict resolution, and atrocity prevention, nor to enhance FCDO and Ministry of Defence coordination in this area. Instead, it vaguely references other reforms and discusses the role of UK Trade Commissioners and the Integrated Review's focus on trade.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

15 Recommendation Deferred

Para 18

Soft power is key to the UK’s international influence.

Recommendation

Soft power is key to the UK’s international influence. It is about much more than culture: the way it is used by some nations suggests it is the entire capability of the state short of war, for others it is … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government defers publishing a soft power strategy until the Integrated Review is published, but agrees the FCDO's creation enhances conflict resolution impact and outlines ongoing peacebuilding efforts.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

16 Recommendation Accepted

Para 19

We recommend that the UK convene and catalyse negotiations to reform multinational organisations: seeking to...

Recommendation

We recommend that the UK convene and catalyse negotiations to reform multinational organisations: seeking to maintain their relevance and their benefit for all rather A brave new Britain? The future of the UK’s international policy 21 than a few. Our … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with the recommendation and states that it has already been working to convene and catalyse negotiations for the reform of multinational organisations, citing ongoing efforts with the UN, NATO, OECD's Development Assistance Committee, and the Commonwealth.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

17 Recommendation Accepted

Para 20

The UK should use its convening power and thought leadership to bring together nimble networks...

Recommendation

The UK should use its convening power and thought leadership to bring together nimble networks of like-minded nations by agreeing a baseline for cooperation between them. These coalitions would be open, issue-based, fleet-footed, overlapping, and even temporary: a ‘vari-lateral’ system. Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with the recommendation and states it has already been working to convene and catalyse negotiations to reform multinational organisations like the UN, NATO, and the Commonwealth, providing examples of its ongoing efforts.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

18 Conclusion Acknowledged

Para 21

We welcome the Government’s commitment to make global health security and working to counter climate...

Conclusion

We welcome the Government’s commitment to make global health security and working to counter climate change priorities within the UK’s international policy. Our Committee will examine these subject areas through its inquiries into ‘Environmental diplomacy’ and ‘Global health security’. Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees with an agile approach to international partnerships and provides an example of UK leadership in global cooperation by co-hosting the Global Partnership for Education replenishment.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

19 Recommendation Not Addressed

We recommend that: i) The UK use its convening power and thought leadership to seek...

Recommendation

We recommend that: i) The UK use its convening power and thought leadership to seek agreement for regulations relating to frontier sectors such as emerging technologies, the cyber and space domains: mitigating threats by agreeing standards and allowing states instead … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government response explicitly states agreement but then discusses climate change and global health security, failing to address the recommendation regarding the UK's role in regulating frontier technologies, cyber, space domains, or establishing diplomatic missions to tech companies.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office