Parliament

The 20th March 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Iraq. This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the conflict. At this time, we pay particular regard to those service personnel, British, allied and Iraqi, as well as civilians who died or were wounded in the conflict in Iraq. It is also a time to reflect upon the conflict and Parliament’s role in it, and to restate the UK’s enduring commitment to support the development of a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Iraqi people.

All of us will undoubtedly have in mind today the 179 British and allied personnel who lost their lives in the conflict. I pay tribute to them and to their bravery, and my sympathy goes out to their families for their loss. Their sacrifice and determination to make the world safer for all of us will never be forgotten. Next week Ministers from HM Government will attend commemorative events across the UK, remembering all those who served in the conflict and particularly those who gave the most. Today we have in our thoughts those service personnel that died, and those who were wounded or injured as a result of the conflict. We also remember and give thanks to all personnel of the UK armed forces who served in Iraq, and their families, who provided vital support at home whilst their loved ones were deployed.

We also have in mind the many Iraqi citizens who were killed during the conflict or who have died since in military operations, bombings, acts of terrorism or through sickness and disease. There is no doubt that the people of Iraq have faced enormous and grave challenges over the last twenty years.

As part of our remembrance, we must ensure we continue to implement the hard won and costly lessons. The UK Government has learned much from the Chilcot Inquiry and continues to draw upon it as we improve national security decision-making and implementation. The purpose of the Inquiry was to examine the United Kingdom’s involvement in the conflict in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish as accurately and reliably as possible what happened, and to identify lessons to be learned. The FCDO continues to institutionalise the Chilcot lessons learned across policy, operations and strategy so that staff are equipped to support decision-making and implementation in complex contexts.

We should also look forward. Today, the UK and Iraq share a close and enduring partnership, working together to address shared global challenges. Through the Global Coalition Against Daesh, NATO Mission Iraq and our long-term bilateral initiatives, we remain committed to Iraq in its fight to defeat Daesh and to enjoy peace and stability. We are working with the Government of Iraq to support economic reform, energy transition, human rights and freedom of religion and belief, and to mitigate the effects of climate change. These joint efforts to unlock Iraq’s immense potential, as represented by its young population, characterise the relationship in 2023.

I saw this for myself during my visit to Iraq at the end of February. There has been significant progress since 2003 but we are committed to supporting further progress and strengthening our partnership with Iraq. The UK remains committed to preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government and people of Iraq to safeguard stability and deliver prosperity.

My Noble Friend, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations (Lord Ahmad) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

The 20th March 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict in Iraq. This anniversary is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the conflict. At this time, we pay particular regard to those service personnel, British, allied and Iraqi, as well as civilians who died or were wounded in the conflict in Iraq. It is also a time to reflect upon the conflict and Parliament’s role in it, and to restate the UK’s enduring commitment to support the development of a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all Iraqi people.

All of us will undoubtedly have in mind today the 179 British and allied personnel who lost their lives in the conflict. I pay tribute to them and to their bravery, and my sympathy goes out to their families for their loss. Their sacrifice and determination to make the world safer for all of us will never be forgotten. Next week Ministers from HM Government will attend commemorative events across the UK, remembering all those who served in the conflict and particularly those who gave the most. Today we have in our thoughts those service personnel that died, and those who were wounded or injured as a result of the conflict. We also remember and give thanks to all personnel of the UK armed forces who served in Iraq, and their families, who provided vital support at home whilst their loved ones were deployed.

We also have in mind the many Iraqi citizens who were killed during the conflict or who have died since in military operations, bombings, acts of terrorism or through sickness and disease. There is no doubt that the people of Iraq have faced enormous and grave challenges over the last twenty years.

As part of our remembrance, we must ensure we continue to implement the hard won and costly lessons. The UK Government has learned much from the Chilcot Inquiry and continues to draw upon it as we improve national security decision-making and implementation. The purpose of the Inquiry was to examine the United Kingdom’s involvement in the conflict in Iraq, including the way decisions were made and actions taken, to establish as accurately and reliably as possible what happened, and to identify lessons to be learned. The FCDO continues to institutionalise the Chilcot lessons learned across policy, operations and strategy so that staff are equipped to support decision-making and implementation in complex contexts.

We should also look forward. Today, the UK and Iraq share a close and enduring partnership, working together to address shared global challenges. Through the Global Coalition Against Daesh, NATO Mission Iraq and our long-term bilateral initiatives, we remain committed to Iraq in its fight to defeat Daesh and to enjoy peace and stability. We are working with the Government of Iraq to support economic reform, energy transition, human rights and freedom of religion and belief, and to mitigate the effects of climate change. These joint efforts to unlock Iraq’s immense potential, as represented by its young population, characterise the relationship in 2023.

I saw this for myself during my visit to Iraq at the end of February. There has been significant progress since 2003 but we are committed to supporting further progress and strengthening our partnership with Iraq. The UK remains committed to preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government and people of Iraq to safeguard stability and deliver prosperity.

The Iraq Inquiry was independent of government, and the selection of its witnesses was a matter for the Inquiry. The Inquiry did not seek evidence from representatives of the countries listed.

The Government responded on 19 December 2017 to a 16 March 2017 Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee report (HC656) on Lessons still to be learned from the Chilcot Inquiry. This included an annex by the National Security Advisor which summarised the lesson learning process undertaken across the National Security Community in response to the Iraq Inquiry. The Ministry of Defence has no plans to publish any further progress reports, though considerable progress has been achieved in responding to the findings of the Iraq Inquiry Report. This includes introduction across the Department of a 'Guide to Reasonable Challenge' to ensure that decision-making is as well informed as possible; training and education on challenge, including at the Defence Academy; publication of a handbook for those involved in operational policy and its implementation ('The Good Operation', available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-good-operation);

a programme of increased professionalisation for those working in the policy profession; and work to improve the capture and curation of (and access to) knowledge. On 5 July 2018, the MOD is hosting a conference entitled Chilcot Two Years On which will take stock of progress in responding to the Report.

A number of lessons about inquiry processes were learned from the Iraq Inquiry, and government has absorbed these so that future inquiries can benefit from the experience. Government has received the report of Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Iraq Inquiry, and will be responding in due course, setting out the lessons learned.

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

The report of the Chilcot Inquiry was published on 6 July and is available to access online in searchable format. The Government takes very seriously its responsibility to all military veterans, especially those who have been injured in conflict, and a range of support mechanisms are available to Iraq veterans where required, including support in the transition to civilian life and access to pension and compensation schemes where injured as a result of their service. We will, of course, engage with and support any individuals who are concerned by any findings of Sir John Chilcot’s report.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer to the Hon Member for South West Wiltshire of today to UIN: PQ38695-PQ38697-38695.

I refer the hon. Member to Sir John Chilcot’s letter to me of 28 October 2015, and my reply of 29 October, copies of which can be found on the Iraq Inquiry website.

The Chilcot Inquiry was set up by the Labour Government following consultation with other political parties and with the support of Parliament. The Government looks forward to the publication of the Inquiry’s report in June or July, in accordance with Sir John Chilcot’s most recent letter to the Prime Minister.

No.

The Iraq Inquiry, which is independent of Government, publishes its annual costs after the end of each financial year. The Inquiry’s costs for FY 2014/15 were £1,358,500, providing an average weekly cost in the last financial year of £26,125.

The Inquiry will account for its costs after the completion of its report.

An itemised year-by-year breakdown of the Inquiry’s costs can be found on the Inquiry’s website. (www.iraqinquiry.org.uk)

A meeting between Sir Jeremy Heywood and Sir John Chilcot took place in early July. It was a constructive discussion in accordance with the Prime Minister’s letter, during which Sir John and Sir Jeremy discussed the additional assistance the Inquiry will wish to call upon in its closing stages and agreed some steps that can be taken now to assist the inquiry in its work. Sir John has confirmed it is his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for completion of the Inquiry’s work once the Maxwellisation process, a confidential process between individuals and the Inquiry, is complete.

A meeting between Sir Jeremy Heywood and Sir John Chilcot took place in early July. It was a constructive discussion in accordance with the Prime Minister’s letter, during which Sir John and Sir Jeremy discussed the additional assistance the Inquiry will wish to call upon in its closing stages and agreed some steps that can be taken now to assist the inquiry in its work. Sir John has confirmed it is his intention to provide the Prime Minister with a timetable for completion of the Inquiry’s work once the Maxwellisation process, a confidential process between individuals and the Inquiry, is complete.