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
17 Recommendations
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
2 Events
Activity timeline 4 events
22 Oct
2020
Report published
13 Aug
2020
Report published
17 Mar
2020
Oral evidence
10 Mar
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
17 Mar 2020
View on parliament.uk
The Lord Ricketts GCMG GCVO · Cabinet Office The Lord Stirrup KG GCB AFC · Ministry of Defence
10 Mar 2020
View on parliament.uk
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 Accepted
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
Government Response
The government details the leadership structure of the Integrated Review, including the roles of the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, NSC, and specific taskforces. It also confirms that five thematic workstreams have been identified for the Review.
Ministry of Defence
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3 Recommendation Accepted
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 Government states that the Integrated Review is currently considering all cross-Government collaboration and assessing the effectiveness of all relevant structures and systems in the context of national security and international policy.
Ministry of Defence
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4 Recommendation Accepted
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
The Government states that officials have met and will continue to meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including former Ministers, national security and defence officials, allies, the defence industry, civil society, think tanks, and academia, to ensure openness and transparency.
Ministry of Defence
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5 Recommendation Accepted in Part
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
Government Response
The government states the Integrated Review has incorporated lessons from previous reviews and is conducting deep analysis. However, the detailed mechanisms for implementation and how the Review's success will be measured will be included in the forthcoming published document.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Accepted
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 that challenging assumptions is critical and outlines mechanisms for this, including external workshops, an integrated whole-of-government approach, and MOD internal processes. It also confirms that expertise from the DSTL Wargaming Centre and the Strategic Net Assessment Team has been used to inform the Integrated Review process.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation Acknowledged
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 government states that the Integrated Review is addressing all the issues raised regarding explaining risk, defining key terms, and answering the specific questions posed, without providing further detail.
Ministry of Defence
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
The Government states that all the points regarding the UK's national interest, values, and pursuit of objectives through hard and soft power will be addressed by the Review, which will consider the ends, ways, and means of UK policy.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
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 Government states that the Integrated Review will define the UK's role and strategic aims in the world, acknowledging that its network of bilateral relationships and alliances will be an important theme. However, it does not explicitly commit to a clear and detailed analysis of specific relationship categories as requested.
Ministry of Defence
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10 Recommendation Accepted
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 government states that the existing National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) is regularly updated and integral to building resilience and informing defence posture. Recommendations from the Integrated Review will be incorporated into the NSRA as appropriate.
Ministry of Defence
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11 Recommendation Accepted
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 government states that the Integrated Review has already drawn on all-source assessments of many countries' capabilities, intent, and internal dynamics, addressing the committee's recommendation.
Ministry of Defence
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12 Recommendation Accepted
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
The Government states it has not limited its thinking and is running the Comprehensive Spending Review in parallel with the Integrated Review to ensure resources are informed by strategic analysis. It views the 2% GDP defence spending target as a floor, not a ceiling, and will determine the budget based on threats and required capabilities informed by the Review.
Ministry of Defence
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13 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The Government states that the Integrated Review and Comprehensive Spending Review will remain closely aligned, with MOD's CSR submission reflecting the IR's policy propositions. It also clarifies that all MOD business areas are engaged to ensure a robust and deliverable financial baseline to meet future threats within its increasing budget.
Ministry of Defence
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14 Recommendation Accepted
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
Government Response
The Government confirms that the Comprehensive Spending Review will provide a multi-year financial settlement for Defence to enable the delivery of policy priorities set out in the Integrated Review, stating its position has not changed.
Ministry of Defence
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15 Recommendation Accepted
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 government highlights the Integrated Operating Concept 2025, launched in September 2020, which outlines a new approach to military operations and is actively informing Defence's contribution to the Integrated Review, including capability and resource decisions.
Ministry of Defence
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16 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
The government states that the Integrated Review is an opportunity for Defence to rebalance and modernize forces by investing in new capabilities and divesting from less useful ones. MOD planning teams are currently assessing future operating environments and proposing capabilities to counter emerging threats.
Ministry of Defence
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17 Recommendation Accepted
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
The Government details a cross-Government review of the defence and security industry (a), states its procurement approach considers all relevant costs and benefits (b), and describes upgraded investment decision-making processes, including three-step approvals and improved lessons learned initiatives, to address strategic issues in procurement (c-f).
Ministry of Defence
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18 Recommendation Accepted
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 outlines the extensive external engagement process for the Integrated Review, including briefings for Parliament, a public call for evidence, engagement with civil society, academia, international partners, industry, and input from serving Armed Forces personnel.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 17 of 17 classified
Accepted 12
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Total 17 recs