NATO UK Obligations 2024-05-20
2024-05-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
UK's commitment to NATO, particularly in light of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.
What steps he is taking to ensure that the UK meets its NATO obligations. Given the situation with Russia and the need for credible armed forces, what specific measures are being taken?
Our commitment to NATO is unwavering. We contribute to every single NATO mission, declare our nuclear deterrent to NATO, and increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Public Accounts Committee warned that deterrence is undermined by recruitment issues, with more people leaving the forces than being recruited.
The Public Accounts Committee has warned that “deterrence can only be effective if our Armed Forces are credible.” However, recruitment issues have been reported. What message does this send to NATO allies?
We are now seeing a very high level of applications for military roles. HMS Raleigh is the fullest it has been in eight years, and there is a big increase in applications across all three services.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Recognition of the UK's outsize role in NATO and contributions to European security.
I recognise that the UK plays an outsized role in NATO as a bridge between the US and Europe. Should we be contributing our industrial expertise to EU defence programmes for additional resilience?
We are indeed contributors to every single NATO mission, second biggest spender in NATO, and the only country in Europe besides France declaring its nuclear deterrent to NATO. We will always look at ways to do more with NATO by committing 2.5% of GDP.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Importance of freedom of passage through the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap for NATO, especially during conflicts. Mention of a symposium on Arctic defence.
Maintaining freedom of passage in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap is essential for NATO. Does the Secretary of State agree with this and will he join us at a symposium to discuss Arctic defence?
The point raised is important. Questions about the Russian fleet have been discussed today. The date needs to be confirmed, but there is a predisposition to attend the symposium on Thursday 8 July in Portcullis House.
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Assessment & feedback
Attendance at the Arctic defence symposium
Will Have To Check The Date
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about insufficient training and resources for high-intensity warfare, equipment and stockpiles not sufficient for prolonged campaigns.
We are warned of a “pre-war world,” yet we lack the necessary training, resources, and equipment for high-intensity warfighting. When will this be addressed?
We have just provided the largest number of personnel for NATO's Steadfast Defender exercise, which is the biggest in 40 years. The UK supplied a large number of people on land, air, and sea. To achieve security, we must spend 2.5% of GDP and set out a trajectory to reach it.
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Assessment & feedback
Timeline or specific steps to address readiness gap
Cannot Just Wish Ourselves To Security
Response accuracy