National Resilience 2023-05-11
2023-05-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP raised the importance of national resilience, a key focus for the government.
What progress has been made on strengthening national resilience?
One of my priorities at the Cabinet Office is strengthening our national resilience across Government. Last month we tested successfully the emergency alert system, a vital new tool to help us communicate quickly with the public during life-threatening situations, and we will soon publish an updated national risk register to support partners with their resilience plans.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Concerns over reliance on global supply chains have been heightened by recent events like the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict.
What steps are being taken to secure minimum safe systems for critical sectors such as food, water, energy, and defence?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight this issue. We committed in the integrated review to publish a supply chains and import strategy so that we can strengthen our resilience in critical sectors. We have already developed several sector-specific supply chain resilience strategies and a supply chain resilience framework for the public and private sectors.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The UK's leading industries, such as semiconductors and AI, are vital for economic strength.
What further measures will be taken to ensure the safety of world-class technology capabilities within the UK?
My hon. Friend is right that economic security is an emerging challenge; hence, the Prime Minister asked me to chair a new national security committee on economic security focusing on these issues. That committee met last week.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about maritime security for Scottish territorial waters.
What is being done to invest in the maritime security of Scotland and its waters?
Of course the maritime security of the United Kingdom is the utmost priority for this Government. We ensure that Royal Naval vessels are available to patrol waters at all times.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about specific investment actions, but the answer only mentioned general patrols.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There are calls to fast-track national adaptation plans due to climate risks.
What steps are being taken with Cabinet colleagues to fast-track national adaptation planning?
Our efforts in that area are led by relevant Government Departments. Through the Cabinet Office, I chair the Cabinet Committee on net zero and energy security designed specifically for co-ordinating all areas of Government to deliver on our national and international commitments.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer mentioned coordination efforts but did not provide specific steps or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about AI's impact on society and security are rising.
Will the Government consider creating a Minister for artificial intelligence to stay ahead in this fast-moving field?
My right hon. Friend makes an important point. There are two elements: one is ensuring we exploit AI's opportunities, which sits with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; the other involves resilience challenges handled by my office as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
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Assessment & feedback
The response outlined responsibilities but did not commit to establishing a new ministerial role specifically for AI.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
There is interest in developing a measure of social vulnerability to inform resilience planning.
What steps are being taken to develop a measure for social vulnerability as an indicator of socioeconomic resilience?
The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. This is a whole United Kingdom effort, exemplified by recent cyber-security conferences in Belfast involving global partners.
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Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging the importance of social vulnerability, the response did not provide specific steps for developing measures.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the pace of implementation of action points in the infrastructure resilience framework.
How many of the action points laid out in the December publication have been achieved?
As the hon. Lady will know, we continue to make considerable progress on all the actions set out in that framework. She is right to highlight challenges, particularly around cyber-resilience; hence, I am conducting a programme stepping up our cyber-resilience.
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Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging progress and ongoing efforts, the response did not provide specific details on completed action points.
Response accuracy