AUKUS

Defence Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 2 Apr 2025 Parliament page
This inquiry will examine the AUKUS partnership, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the US and the UK which was announced in 2021. AUKUS will see the US and UK support Australia in acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine fleet alongside a deepening of co-operation between the three countries on other advanced … Read more
24 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
9 Jul
2026
Report published
28 Apr
2026
Report published
2 Dec
2025
Oral evidence
26 Nov
2025
Oral evidence
19 Nov
2025
Oral evidence
21 Oct
2025
Oral evidence
9 Sep
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
2 Dec 2025
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Panel 1
Air Marshal Tim Jones · Ministry of Defence Luke Pollard MP · Ministry of Defence Vice Admiral Sir Chris Gardner KBE · Submarine Delivery Agency
26 Nov 2025
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Panel 1
Angela Jones · Westmorland and Furness Council Nona Buckley-Irvine · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Peter Anstiss · Team Barrow The Rt Hon The Lord Case · Team Barrow
19 Nov 2025
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Panel 1
Sir Stephen Lovegrove - Prime Minister's Special Representative on AUKUS
21 Oct 2025
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Andrew Kinniburgh · Make UK Defence Harry Holt · Babcock International Group Matthew Evans · techUK Samira Braund · ADS Steve Carlier · Rolls Royce Submarines Limited Steve Timms · BAE Systems Submarines
9 Sep 2025
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Oral Evidence Session
Dr Sidharth Kaushal · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Sophia Gaston · Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King's College London
Title HC No. Published Items Response
8th Report - AUKUS HC 841 28 Apr 2026 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
33 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
Our inquiry has underlined the importance of the AUKUS partnership, but has also laid bare...
Our inquiry has underlined the importance of the AUKUS partnership, but has also laid bare the scale of the endeavour that will be required to successfully deliver it. For the UK, AUKUS presents challenges but also great opportunities. Meeting those … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomed the Committee's conclusion on the importance and scale of the AUKUS partnership, affirming its commitment to the program and stating that the Prime Minister is driving sustained UK delivery through a whole-of-government effort.
Ministry of Defence
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
Almost five years on from the announcement of the AUKUS partnership, the world is a...
Almost five years on from the announcement of the AUKUS partnership, the world is a very different place. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and shifting US priorities have placed increasing pressure on Western nations’ defence and security apparatus. The alliances … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes and agrees with the Committee's conclusion, affirming that the strategic rationale for the AUKUS partnership remains enduring and relevant amidst a changing global security context.
Ministry of Defence
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3 Conclusion Rejected
8th Report - AUKUS
It is deeply disappointing that more than a year after Sir Stephen Lovegrove completed his...
It is deeply disappointing that more than a year after Sir Stephen Lovegrove completed his review of AUKUS, the Government’s commitment to issue a public version of his findings has not been fulfilled. This reflects poorly on the Government and … Read more
Government Response
The government decided not to publish a public version of Sir Stephen Lovegrove's classified report to protect confidentiality and align with partner nations, but notes Sir Stephen has publicly shared headline findings and actions in response.
Ministry of Defence
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4 Recommendation Rejected
8th Report - AUKUS
We urge the Government to issue a public version of Sir Stephen Lovegrove’s report as...
We urge the Government to issue a public version of Sir Stephen Lovegrove’s report as soon as possible. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22)
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to publish Sir Stephen Lovegrove’s report, citing the need to protect confidentiality of inputs from international contributors. Instead, Sir Stephen has made public engagements to share headline findings and actions.
Ministry of Defence
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5 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The UK Prime Minister must take a more prominent role in driving the delivery of...
The UK Prime Minister must take a more prominent role in driving the delivery of AUKUS. Many of the challenges we identify in this report arise from a lack of funding or prioritisation within Government rather than any underlying structural … Read more
Government Response
The government asserts that the Prime Minister is already taking a prominent role in AUKUS, citing existing commitments, investments in the submarine industrial base, and the appointment of a Special Representative as evidence of his leadership.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
As we approach five years since AUKUS was launched, following changes of Government and with...
As we approach five years since AUKUS was launched, following changes of Government and with domestic reviews of the programme recently completed in all three partner nations, a natural opportunity arises for national leaders to convene and make a powerful … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating it will continue to work closely with the US and Australia to identify opportunities for leaders to convene and communicate their unwavering commitment to the AUKUS partnership.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation Deferred
8th Report - AUKUS
The appointment of a Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS, initially for a year, has...
The appointment of a Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS, initially for a year, has been a positive step welcomed by stakeholders in industry and across the trilateral. We recommend that the role be made permanent, providing consistency for stakeholders … Read more
Government Response
The government has extended the Prime Minister's Special Representative role for an additional year and will keep its duration under review, but has not committed to making the role permanent as recommended.
Ministry of Defence
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8 Recommendation Rejected
8th Report - AUKUS
The Government should advocate for the US and Australia to follow the UK in appointing...
The Government should advocate for the US and Australia to follow the UK in appointing their own Special Representative (or an equivalent role). Consideration should also be given to establishing a joint secretariat to support them. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39) Read more
Government Response
The government states that the US and Australia will continue to determine their national governance structures and that the UK will continue to work through existing structures, effectively declining to advocate for them to appoint special representatives or establish a new joint secretariat.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The remit of the Prime Minister’s Special Representative is broad, with both domestic and international...
The remit of the Prime Minister’s Special Representative is broad, with both domestic and international focus across a wide range of capabilities. If its functions are to be exercised effectively, it must be adequately supported by the Civil Service. Alongside … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that as of 2025, a centralized team with dedicated resources has been established within the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office to support the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS.
Ministry of Defence
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10 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
The need to engage more openly with the public in a national conversation on defence...
The need to engage more openly with the public in a national conversation on defence and security issues has been a recurring feature of the political discourse in recent years and one on which we have previously pressed the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of public engagement and outlines its proactive efforts, including regular engagement with Members of Parliament, commitments for parliamentary briefings, and the 'National Endeavour' campaign to communicate the economic and technological benefits of nuclear programmes like AUKUS.
Ministry of Defence
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11 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
Within an overarching dialogue about the role of defence in society, AUKUS offers an opportunity...
Within an overarching dialogue about the role of defence in society, AUKUS offers an opportunity to demonstrate the more tangible benefits that a thriving defence industry can bring to local economies across the UK. Members of Parliament can play a … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining current proactive engagement with MPs through various groups and committing to a future parliamentary briefing in Autumn 2026. It also detailed the 'National Endeavour' campaign and a recent publication to increase public awareness and highlight AUKUS benefits.
Ministry of Defence
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12 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
Whilst the groundwork has been laid for growing the nuclear workforce, the scale of the...
Whilst the groundwork has been laid for growing the nuclear workforce, the scale of the recruitment needed to deliver AUKUS calls for more creative solutions. These should harness existing strengths, such as the world- leading skills academies run by UK … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the recommendation and details its comprehensive Nuclear Skills Plan (NSP), which is already implementing strategies to grow a diverse nuclear workforce through regional hubs, bursaries, bootcamps, a national attraction campaign, and substantial investment in doctoral students.
Ministry of Defence
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13 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
We are deeply concerned by the Government’s failure to recognise the impact of barriers to...
We are deeply concerned by the Government’s failure to recognise the impact of barriers to workforce movement across the trilateral. The ensuing inconvenience and cost may currently be manageable—although they are having a stifling effect on collaboration—but it is clear … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the concern about barriers to workforce movement and stated it is acutely aware of the issue. It has conducted a survey to identify barriers and continues to look for opportunities to make changes, but offered no specific new commitments to address the problem immediately.
Ministry of Defence
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14 Recommendation Accepted in Part
8th Report - AUKUS
The Government must urgently remove barriers to workforce mobility across the AUKUS partners, beginning with...
The Government must urgently remove barriers to workforce mobility across the AUKUS partners, beginning with security clearances. We recommend that the MOD, working with trilateral partners and in consultation with industry, set out within six months a clear plan to … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the recommendation to address workforce mobility barriers, stating it's a top priority and accelerating efforts on security clearances. However, it will monitor progress through existing dialogues and rejects the need for an AUKUS visa, believing existing Home Office options are sufficient and will be signposted.
Ministry of Defence
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15 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
The development of new SSN facilities in Adelaide and Perth could pose a risk to...
The development of new SSN facilities in Adelaide and Perth could pose a risk to workforce retention at the UK’s equivalent facilities in Barrow-in- Furness and Plymouth. The MOD must closely monitor workforce flow as the design and build of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of workforce retention and movement, highlighting substantial investment in nuclear defence programmes and the successes of Team Barrow, Team Plymouth, and the Nuclear Skills Plan, asserting that AUKUS is not a talent competition but a partnership to expand the nuclear workforce.
Ministry of Defence
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16 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
For the UK, delivering SSN-AUKUS will be a lengthy and complex undertaking requiring a sustained...
For the UK, delivering SSN-AUKUS will be a lengthy and complex undertaking requiring a sustained financial commitment from Government across several electoral cycles. It is deeply concerning that there are signs that the investment pipeline that underpins that commitment has … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the importance of sustained financial commitment to AUKUS and details over £6 billion allocated to transform the UK Submarine Base, including specific investments in Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters, demonstrating existing prioritisation.
Ministry of Defence
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17 Recommendation Rejected
8th Report - AUKUS
The Government must demonstrate that the industrial uplift required to deliver SSN AUKUS is being...
The Government must demonstrate that the industrial uplift required to deliver SSN AUKUS is being funded and delivered at pace. We recommend that an annual assessment of planned versus delivered investment in submarine industrial capacity be conducted by the Prime … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation for an annual assessment but rejects it, stating that existing governance structures and reporting requirements are sufficient to manage SSN-AUKUS delivery.
Ministry of Defence
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18 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
As Australia works against tight timescales to develop the infrastructure and workforce required to build...
As Australia works against tight timescales to develop the infrastructure and workforce required to build its sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability, it will need to take decisions which could have implications for the UK’s own build schedule at Barrow. The UK … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the need for close collaboration with Australia and states that sustained engagement is driving progress on workforce, infrastructure, and build schedules. However, it does not specifically commit to developing contingencies for all possible options as recommended.
Ministry of Defence
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
There was a clear consensus in our evidence that the regeneration of the town of...
There was a clear consensus in our evidence that the regeneration of the town of Barrow-in-Furness is essential to the delivery of AUKUS. The formation of Team Barrow and the investment committed to date to address 51 this is welcome, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees Barrow's regeneration is essential for AUKUS, highlighting Team Barrow and the £200m Transformation Fund, and citing additional commitments like £7m for the Alfred Barrow Health Centre as part of a strong cross-government approach to regeneration.
Ministry of Defence
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20 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
With the successful delivery of SSN-AUKUS dependent on attracting and retaining a skilled workforce at...
With the successful delivery of SSN-AUKUS dependent on attracting and retaining a skilled workforce at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow, the Government must do more to ensure that the ambition laid out by Team Barrow is met. This will require … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, highlighting existing and new funding commitments including a £200m Transformation Fund, £7m for a health centre, £20m for the town centre, £5m Social Impact Fund, and over £24m for housing, demonstrating action to meet Team Barrow's ambition.
Ministry of Defence
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21 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
Although the planned regeneration is in its early stages, Team Barrow must ensure that visible...
Although the planned regeneration is in its early stages, Team Barrow must ensure that visible change is seen on the ground as soon as possible to reassure the local community that their role in the national endeavour has been recognised, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of visible change in Barrow, detailing ongoing initiatives like the Social Impact Fund, Barrow Work and Health Fund, town centre regeneration, and educational investments, while committing to continue prioritizing visible change and local engagement.
Ministry of Defence
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
Delivering on the UK’s commitment to increase port visits and later rotate an Astute-class submarine...
Delivering on the UK’s commitment to increase port visits and later rotate an Astute-class submarine out of Australia will be essential to maintaining credibility within AUKUS. We were glad to receive the Minister’s assurance that the UK remained on track … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the pressure on the Astute-class fleet but reaffirms its commitment to delivering port visits and a rotational presence in Australia, outlining a balanced approach of managing deployments, investing in maintenance, and sharing the burden with partners.
Ministry of Defence
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23 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
With submarine availability critically low, and against a backdrop of deepening concern about the readiness...
With submarine availability critically low, and against a backdrop of deepening concern about the readiness of the Royal Navy, the Government must deliver infrastructure improvements at HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde at pace to relieve pressure on the fleet. Failure … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of these bases and states it is already making multi-billion, multi-decade investments in their redevelopment through the Clyde Transformation Programme and Devonport Major Infrastructure Portfolio to address historic underinvestment.
Ministry of Defence
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24 Recommendation Deferred
8th Report - AUKUS
Workforce growth at HMNB Devonport will be key to delivering the infrastructure required to improve...
Workforce growth at HMNB Devonport will be key to delivering the infrastructure required to improve submarine availability and prepare for SSN-AUKUS. Team Plymouth will play a central role in creating the local conditions to attract and maintain this larger workforce … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for Team Plymouth's growth, citing £50m already announced and setting up a cross-government board and joint taskforce to urgently develop and progress delivery solutions, including securing further funding.
Ministry of Defence
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25 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The UK must throw its full support behind Australia’s development of new infrastructure in Perth,...
The UK must throw its full support behind Australia’s development of new infrastructure in Perth, particularly the new Defence Precinct at Henderson. Close working between the UK and Australia at government and industry level will enable the UK to share … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the assessment and is committed to sharing its decades of experience in nuclear sustainment infrastructure, including workforce development, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure delivery, to support Australia's progress.
Ministry of Defence
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26 Conclusion Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The lifting of export control restrictions under AUKUS is a significant achievement for the partnership.
The lifting of export control restrictions under AUKUS is a significant achievement for the partnership. It has the potential to bring immense benefits across UK defence. However, that potential will only be realised if Government removes barriers to participation and … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights its active support for industry, including SMEs, to join the Authorised User Community, citing 404 registered entities and 18 outreach events by the International Export Controls team. It also mentions providing 1-2-1 guidance and successful processing of recent export licenses within standard timelines.
Ministry of Defence
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27 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The Government should seek to identify those organisations which could benefit from membership of the...
The Government should seek to identify those organisations which could benefit from membership of the Authorised User Community—especially SMEs—and proactively promote it to them, offering guidance and support where required. The new Defence Office for Small Business Growth should play … Read more
Government Response
The government has actively supported industry, including SMEs, in joining the Authorised User Community, with 404 entities registered and 18 outreach events conducted by the International Export Controls team. The MOD also works with the Department for Business and Trade to monitor license applications, which are now processed within standard timelines.
Ministry of Defence
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28 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
With its aim of harnessing trilateral collaboration on advanced technologies, Pillar 2 has the potential...
With its aim of harnessing trilateral collaboration on advanced technologies, Pillar 2 has the potential to be transformative, but progress to date has been disappointing and inadequate. It now faces an uphill battle to restore credibility. In the short term, … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the recommendation and has announced the first Pillar II signature project for Uncrewed Undersea Vehicles, with delivery starting in 2027, to provide tangible benefits to the warfighter. It also highlights other achievements including AUKUS-designed AI algorithms and UUV launches from submarines.
Ministry of Defence
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29 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
There is an obvious alignment between the workstreams covered under Pillar 2 and the Defence...
There is an obvious alignment between the workstreams covered under Pillar 2 and the Defence Industrial Strategy’s themes of innovation, resilience and prosperity; and it offers clear opportunities for defence-related growth. However, the UK’s approach to Pillar 2 has so … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes the alignment between Pillar II and the Defence Industrial Strategy, outlining ongoing efforts like the Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum and the ITAR exemption to accelerate capability development and industrial growth. It highlights over £13 million in AI and autonomy contracts and a new signature project, committing to continue providing greater clarity and opportunity for industry.
Ministry of Defence
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30 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - AUKUS
The MOD must work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the...
The MOD must work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Education, to drive a truly joined-up, whole-of-government approach to Pillar 2. The Government must also do more to involve SMEs directly in Pillar … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of a whole-of-government approach, citing existing collaboration between defence, science, and education communities. It accepts the need to involve SMEs, detailing existing engagement through forums and challenges, and commits to expanding their participation as Pillar II scales.
Ministry of Defence
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31 Recommendation Accepted in Part
8th Report - AUKUS
Expanding Pillar 2 to include additional partners offers potential opportunities, but it will add a...
Expanding Pillar 2 to include additional partners offers potential opportunities, but it will add a further layer of complexity and negotiation to what is already proving to be a difficult task. Whilst remaining positive about a future expansion of Pillar … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights strong trilateral progress in Pillar II, including a funded project on Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle systems, aligning with deepening collaboration, but also explicitly states that AUKUS partners are exploring potential collaboration with additional countries, thereby not fully accepting the 'deepen before widening' constraint.
Ministry of Defence
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32 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
A programme of AUKUS’ scale and scope will not succeed if it is perceived within...
A programme of AUKUS’ scale and scope will not succeed if it is perceived within Whitehall as one of many defence programmes competing for scarce resources. Only strong and visible political leadership from the very top of Government can counter … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the conclusion, affirming the Prime Minister's full commitment to AUKUS and highlighting existing measures such as appointing a Special Representative and establishing a new Cabinet Office team to ensure the program receives necessary focus and priority.
Ministry of Defence
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33 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - AUKUS
As we approach five years since the partnership came into being, with changes of Government...
As we approach five years since the partnership came into being, with changes of Government in each partner nation and domestic reviews completed, now is the time to seize the opportunity AUKUS presents and demonstrate the UK’s firm commitment to … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and reaffirms the Prime Minister's full commitment to AUKUS, highlighting existing efforts like the appointment of a Special Representative and a new Cabinet Office team to drive delivery, and offers to provide an update in 2027.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 24 classified
Accepted 14
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 11
Deferred 2
Rejected 4
Total 24 recs + 9 conclusions