Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Resilience

Thursday 5 December 2024 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced a review of national resilience in July and work is progressing across Government.
  • The Government has engaged with external experts across business, voluntary sector, and local government.
  • Minister assured the House that resilience efforts will aim to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
Defence
Context

The question stems from the need to assess recent progress on strengthening national resilience, a priority for the government. The concern is rooted in the critical importance of public safety and effective crisis management.

Question

What recent progress has his Department made on strengthening national resilience? I am concerned about ensuring that our nation can effectively respond to crises and emergencies, which are top priorities for us all.

Answer from Pat McFadden

The Government's first responsibility is to keep the public safe, which is why national resilience is a top priority for us. In July, I announced that I would lead a review of resilience, and work has been progressing across Government. We have engaged at all levels with the public, private and voluntary sectors, and this work is overseen by the dedicated resilience sub-committee of the National Security Council, which I chair. It is also closely linked to our consideration of the covid inquiry module 1 report, to which the Government will respond next month—within the six-month timeframe set out by the chair of the inquiry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought specific actions and measures but received a broad statement without concrete details or commitments.

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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Context

The module 1 report of the UK covid-19 inquiry recommended incorporating external expertise to guard against 'groupthink'. The question focuses on how this recommendation will be implemented.

Question

How is the Minister planning to bring in that external expertise? Would he consider issuing a brochure to British citizens on preparation for crises, as the Swedish Government have just done?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The hon. Member raises an important point. The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Ms Oppong-Asare), has done a great deal of work on consulting people outside Government—external experts across business, the voluntary sector, local government and so on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about issuing a brochure for citizens but received no commitment or timeline related to this specific suggestion.

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Q3 Ashley Dalton Lab West Lancashire
NHS Social Care Mental Health
Context

The module 1 report of the UK covid-19 inquiry highlighted that those most affected by crises are often the most vulnerable in society, such as the elderly or people with pre-existing health conditions.

Question

Can the Minister assure the House that they will work to deliver resilience for everyone, not just some of us? The report found that impact was acutely felt by the most vulnerable—the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, people living in overcrowded housing, and those on low incomes.

Answer from Pat McFadden

This is such an important point. If resilience is to mean anything, it has to be for us all, not just for some. My hon. Friend is right to say that one of the lessons of past tragedies, whether it is covid-19, Grenfell Tower or others, is that it is often the most vulnerable in our society who are hardest hit. That is why it is so important that we learn the lessons of the past and have support for the most vulnerable at the heart of our work. The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead, recently met senior representatives from a range of organisations that support people who are disproportionately impacted by emergencies and crises to make sure that resilience is, indeed, for all, and not just for some.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought assurances but received general principles without specific commitments or actions.

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