Defending Global Britain in a Competitive Age

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 17 Mar 2021 Closed: 6 Dec 2022 Parliament page
The Committee is examining the defence task and capability commitments in the Integrated Review, the Defence in a Competitive Age paper and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy. The Committee intends to evaluate how effective the commitments will be in responding to the threats to the UK and how the … Read more
7 Recommendations
16 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
1 Letter
6 Events
Activity timeline 15 events
10 Nov
2022
Report published
28 Jul
2022
Report published
18 Jan
2022
Correspondence
30 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
30 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
6 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
6 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
23 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
23 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
20 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
20 Apr
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
13 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
30 Nov 2021
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Sir Stephen Lovegrove, National Security Adviser
6 Jul 2021
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Panel 1
Lt Gen (Retd) Ben Hodges · Center for European Policy Analysis
23 Jun 2021
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Panel 1
Air Marshal Richard Knighton CB · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP · Ministry of Defence
20 Apr 2021
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Paul Hough, defence business consultant Professor John Louth, independent author and defence analyst
13 Apr 2021
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Panel 1
Dr Sidharth Kaushal · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Rear Admiral Alex Burton, Former Commander, UK Maritime Forces (2016-2017)
23 Mar 2021
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Field Marshal the Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL · Ministry of Defence The Lord Houghton of Richmond GCB CBE DL · Ministry of Defence
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The Integrated Review, Defence in a Competitive … HC 180 28 Jul 2022 23 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
It is difficult not to feel a sense of déjà vu as we see British...
It is difficult not to feel a sense of déjà vu as we see British military ambitions which are not entirely matched by resources. Open conflict has returned to Europe and it is disappointing to see that the Government is … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the shifting context and the less favorable economic and security environment, and states that they continue to monitor and analyze the situation in Ukraine and beyond to ensure their strategic approach remains threat-led and in line with agile planning and delivery mechanisms. They will continue to review capabilities and readiness levels and update the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
In the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper, the Government identified and understood the...
In the Integrated Review and the Defence Command Paper, the Government identified and understood the implications of the range of complex and cascading threats faced by the UK. However, the impact of both the Afghan withdrawal and the Russian full-scale … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it supports the sentiment of the recommendations made in conclusions 2,3 and 4 and recognises that the context is shifting and Defence will have to adapt accordingly to deliver the IR’s vision. They also state they are supporting the update to the Integrated Review.
Ministry of Defence
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
There is a need for a New Chapter update to the IR and the Defence...
There is a need for a New Chapter update to the IR and the Defence Command Paper which takes into account the events in Afghanistan and Ukraine. The document should then set out how the analysis of the strategic context … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to adapt to the shifting context, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and supports the sentiment of the recommendations, but commits to no specific review of the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper.
Ministry of Defence
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4 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
The UK public is aware of the threats which the UK faces but does not...
The UK public is aware of the threats which the UK faces but does not appear to trust the Government to act in the national interest. Whilst investments in new technology are vital, it is also clear that, the days … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need to adapt to the shifting context, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and supports the sentiment of the recommendations, but commits to no specific review of the Integrated Review and Defence in a Competitive Age.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
Foreign policy decisions and consequent actions by UK Defence need to be supported by the...
Foreign policy decisions and consequent actions by UK Defence need to be supported by the UK public. The lack of organisation round the withdrawal from Afghanistan damaged the Government’s standing. However, so far, engagement with the public on the Russian … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the Committee on the importance of public engagement and stated that the UK public has consistently supported the MOD’s contribution to supporting Ukraine.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers,...
Defence in a Competitive Age and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy are ambitious papers, aimed at modernising UK defence and ensuring it has equipment suitable for the Information Age. Whilst the conclusions of Defence in a Competitive Age ought … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the support from the Committee in ensuring the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS) is fully implemented, and notes progress made in several key areas, with ongoing work to change ways of working and challenge long-standing patterns of thinking.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
The lack of prioritisation means that it is impossible to determine which of the threats...
The lack of prioritisation means that it is impossible to determine which of the threats highlighted the Government perceives to be greatest. It also results in the military seemingly being the answer for every question whilst not being appropriately resourced … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the UK Armed Forces are configured to respond to all types of threats, and that priorities are set out in the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper, but provides no specifics on how these priorities are weighed.
Ministry of Defence
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12 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
Alongside the Permanent Secretary’s acknowledgement that some of the risk judgements made within the Integrated...
Alongside the Permanent Secretary’s acknowledgement that some of the risk judgements made within the Integrated Review process might need to be revisited in light of events in Ukraine, it is clear that the capability gaps which the Defence Command Paper … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the capability gaps are no longer palatable and states that they will conduct an update to the IR to ensure sufficient investment in strategic capabilities and alliances, considering how to mitigate near-term risks. Defence Digital is leading a programme to modernize skills, process and technology.
Ministry of Defence
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
The MOD faces a number of challenges following decisions made in the Integrated Review: the...
The MOD faces a number of challenges following decisions made in the Integrated Review: the likelihood of a capability gap, as equipment is retired before its replacement is introduced; a reduction in the British Army’s heavy armour and mass at … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns regarding capability gaps, reduction in heavy armour, and reliance on untested technology, and states that modernization must remain the focus while also addressing near-term readiness risks. They will continue to review capabilities and readiness levels as part of the Government’s decision to update the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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14 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
It is clear that, even if the Government decides to proceed with the decisions taken...
It is clear that, even if the Government decides to proceed with the decisions taken in the IR and the Defence Command Paper, the timeline of changes ought also to be reviewed given the potential for capability gaps which leave … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that the Army will have a whole force of over 100,000, continues to monitor the security environment in Eastern Europe, and the Army keeps its plans under review. There are currently no plans to reverse the Army’s reduction in regular personnel, but the Army regularly assesses the balance of people, capability, and activity in line with the threats and available resources.
Ministry of Defence
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15 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
There is a danger of overstretch.
There is a danger of overstretch. The Government needs to ensure that the military is properly resourced with both equipment and personnel to carry out the tasks required of it. To do this, we recommend there be a wholesale re-examination … Read more
Government Response
The government supports the sentiment of the Committee’s recommendation for a wholesale re-examination of the decisions on capabilities and timeframes within the Defence Command Paper, and assures the Committee that this work is underway, including as part of the Government’s ongoing review of the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
The lack of a definition of what it means to be integrated makes it somewhat...
The lack of a definition of what it means to be integrated makes it somewhat difficult to measure the success of the Government in achieving its objectives. However, we will continue to evaluate the implementation of the Integrated Review, the … Read more
Government Response
The government provides its definition of integration, both broadly through interoperability and cooperation, and specifically through Multi-Domain Integration via modernization of communications and information systems.
Ministry of Defence
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
We welcome the Government’s commitment to the publication of an annual review on the implementation...
We welcome the Government’s commitment to the publication of an annual review on the implementation of the Integrated Review. However, given that the implementation is the key, consistent evaluation of the implementation of the strategies throughout this Parliament is vital. … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the important role the Defence Select Committee and other Parliamentary Committees play in holding Government to account, and the NSA committed to sharing an update with the JCNSS on progress against the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The Integrated Rev…
As well as an annual report on the implementation of the IR, we recommend the...
As well as an annual report on the implementation of the IR, we recommend the MOD produce an annual evaluation of what has been achieved in their implementation of Defence in a Competitive Age and DSIS. This evaluation should include … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the conclusion and will explore ways to engage with Parliament following the publication of the update to the IR, building on their commitment to publicise the findings of its annual report on the IR.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 7 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 14
Deferred 1
Rejected 2
Total 7 recs + 16 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
18 Jan 2022 Letter dated 11th January responding to Chair regarding the Integrated Review, Defence Command Paper and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy
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