The Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 5 Mar 2020 Closed: 9 Jul 2021 Parliament page
In this inquiry, we explore how the Government should conduct an Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review. The review is considered “the most radical reassessment of [the UK’s] place in the world since the end of the Cold War”, and covers “all aspects of international policy”. This inquiry will … Read more
5 Recommendations
12 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Events
Activity timeline 6 events
22 Oct
2020
Report published
13 Aug
2020
Report published
17 Mar
2020
Oral evidence
17 Mar
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
10 Mar
2020
Oral evidence
10 Mar
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
17 Mar 2020
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The Lord Ricketts GCMG GCVO · Cabinet Office The Lord Stirrup KG GCB AFC · Ministry of Defence
10 Mar 2020
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Integrated security, defence and foreign policy review (ISDFR)
Douglas Barrie · International Institute for Strategic Studies Malcolm Chalmers · Royal United Services Institute Tom McKane · Ministry of Defence
Title HC No. Published Items Response
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated Review HC 165 13 Aug 2020 17 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
2 Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
In its response to this report, the Government should set out how and when the...
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 … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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3 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
The Review should assess and report on the effectiveness of existing Government structures and policies...
The Review should assess and report on the effectiveness of existing Government structures and policies designed to facilitate cross- Government collaboration. This should include a review of the National Security Council and associated policy frameworks and funds, such as the … Read more
Government Response
The Review is considering all cross-Government collaboration in the context of our national security and international policy, strategy and delivery, including assessing the effectiveness of all relevant structures and systems. Read more
Ministry of Defence
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4 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
To ensure lessons are learned from previous security and defence Reviews, the Integrated Review should...
To ensure lessons are learned from previous security and defence Reviews, the Integrated Review should engage with a wide range of stakeholders who were engaged in or scrutinised previous Reviews and the policies, programmes and military deployments that flowed from … Read more
Government Response
When he launched the Review, the Prime Minister was clear that it should be as open and transparent as possible. Throughout the Review, officials across departments have met with former … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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5 Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
The Government should review how far these activities were aligned with or deviated from the...
The Government should review how far these activities were aligned with or deviated from the outcomes of previous Reviews, in order to better In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated Review 55 understand how to ensure the Integrated Review … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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6 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
We welcome the Government’s ambition to conduct the “deepest” and “most radical review since the...
We welcome the Government’s ambition to conduct the “deepest” and “most radical review since the Cold War.” At a time of such geopolitical and economic uncertainty, it is vital that the Review involves thorough consideration of the desired “ends” of … Read more
Government Response
The Government agrees with the Committee that appropriate challenge is critical to delivering the Integrated Review. External challenge is being invited and incorporated into the Integrated Review across the board, … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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7 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
It remains to be seen whether the foreign policy aspect of the Review will produce...
It remains to be seen whether the foreign policy aspect of the Review will produce a distinct Foreign Policy Strategy or whether this will be combined with a National Security Strategy. Whether the Review produces one, two, or three documents, … Read more
Government Response
The Integrated Review is addressing all of these issues.
Ministry of Defence
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8 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
We have heard that in order to identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security,...
We have heard that in order to identify the desired “ends” of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy, the Review must clearly articulate the UK’s interests and values. Whilst scrutiny of the UK’s foreign policy falls to the … Read more
Government Response
All of these points will be addressed. The review will consider the ends, ways and means of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
Particularly at a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, it is vital that the foreign policy...
Particularly at a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, it is vital that the foreign policy aspect of the review reflects the UK’s understanding of, and ambitions for, its international relationships and partnerships. Our colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee are … Read more
Government Response
The Integrated Review will define the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy – setting out … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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10 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
It remains to be seen whether the forthcoming Review will include an update to the...
It remains to be seen whether the forthcoming Review will include an update to the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) or whether a new approach will emerge. Whether or not the Review uses the terminology of the NSRA, we suggest … Read more
Government Response
The National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) is produced every two years and assesses the likelihood and impact of the most serious, malicious and non-malicious risks facing the UK or its … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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11 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
We welcome the Review’s focus on intensifying geopolitical competition in light of COVID-19.
We welcome the Review’s focus on intensifying geopolitical competition in light of COVID-19. To deliver a robust assessment of the capabilities and short and long term ambitions of hostile foreign states, the Review must consider the full range of Russia … Read more
Government Response
The Integrated Review has drawn on all source assessment of many countries’ current and future capability, intent (including internal dynamics and drivers) and the implications for UK national security. Read more
Ministry of Defence
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12 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
Existing spending commitments are a necessary but insufficient basis for approaching funding decisions in the...
Existing spending commitments are a necessary but insufficient basis for approaching funding decisions in the Integrated Review. Whilst the economic outlook for the UK remains uncertain, it is imperative that funding considerations are informed by the Review’s strategic analysis and … Read more
Government Response
We have not limited our thinking by setting unnecessary constraints or red lines. That is why we are running the Comprehensive Spending Review in parallel to the Integrated Review; to … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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13 Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
To ensure that the Review considers the ways, ends and means of the UK’s security,...
To ensure that the Review considers the ways, ends and means of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy in the round, the Government must set out the mechanisms that will be used to ensure the alignment between the … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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14 Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
We urge the Government to consider a long-term multi-year financial settlement for defence, in order...
We urge the Government to consider a long-term multi-year financial settlement for defence, in order to ensure that the Integrated Review provides a reliable basis for planning the UK’s future defence posture. In Search of Strategy — The 2020 Integrated … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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15 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
The Integrated Review is an opportunity for the Ministry of Defence to explain how our...
The Integrated Review is an opportunity for the Ministry of Defence to explain how our Armed Forces will fight in the future. It is promising that work is underway to develop new operating concepts but it is vitally important that … Read more
Government Response
The Integrated Operating Concept 2025, launched by the Secretary of State for Defence and Chief of the Defence Staff on 30 September 2020, sets out a new approach to the … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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16 Recommendation
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
Capability decisions made as part of the Review should be informed by the Review’s foreign...
Capability decisions made as part of the Review should be informed by the Review’s foreign policy analysis, threat and risk assessment and defence operating concepts. Defence planning assumptions and the UK’s overall defence posture should be reviewed, and informed by … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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17 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
Given that systemic challenges have not been resolved in the previous thirteen reviews of defence...
Given that systemic challenges have not been resolved in the previous thirteen reviews of defence procurement, we doubt that the Integrated Review will come up with even a short-term fix. We believe that the Review ought to address the strategic … Read more
Government Response
a) In March 2020, the Government launched a cross-Government review of the UK’s defence and security industry sectors. This work, being led by the MOD but carried out with input … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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18 Conclusion
In Search of Strategy — The 2020 I…
We have heard that external engagement in the Review process provides a challenge function to...
We have heard that external engagement in the Review process provides a challenge function to the Government’s understanding, can act as an early signpost to stakeholders who can contribute to achieving the UK’s security and defence priorities and contributes to … Read more
Government Response
The Government is keen to ensure that some of the best minds in the UK and beyond are feeding into the Review’s conclusions and challenging traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking. … Read more
Ministry of Defence
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