Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Global Strategy

Thursday 24 February 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government's approach to national security was detailed in the integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy.
  • The National Security Council provides strategic direction to ensure the integrated review is implemented.
  • The integrated review identified China as a systemic competitor for the period up to 2030.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Seely Con
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquires about the potential establishment of a national strategy council to develop a long-term global strategy for the UK, prompted by concerns over the effectiveness of current deterrence measures.

Question

If he will make an assessment with the Foreign Secretary of the potential merits of introducing a national strategy council to develop and support a long-term global strategy for the UK.

Answer from Steve Barclay

The Government's approach to national security was set out in the integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy. The National Security Council provides strategic direction to ensure that the review is implemented, and provides the necessary flexibility and agility to respond to the changing global context.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for an assessment with the Foreign Secretary was not addressed.

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Q2 Bob Seely Con
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the UK's ability to deter conflicts, citing the current situation in Europe as an example of a need for forward-looking strategy.

Question

On responding to the changing global context, would it be accurate to say that this morning deterrence has failed? Do the Government also agree that perhaps if we had a national strategy council that looked forward a decade to the trends shaping our world, our policy might be less ad hoc, less reactive and less last-minute, and our ability to deter wars, which are currently breaking out in Europe, might be stronger?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I know that my hon. Friend takes a close interest in these issues, so he will know better than most that the whole purpose of the integrated review was to look at the period up to 2030, and it clearly identified China as a systemic competitor. I also know from my time as Chief Secretary to the Treasury that at the spending review 2020 we put in place the biggest investment in the Ministry of Defence—in defence—for about 30 years. That shows this Government's willingness to look longer-term at what the right strategic approach is.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific question about whether deterrence has failed and the need for a national strategy council was not directly addressed.

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