National Security Strategy: JCNSS Chair welcomes “national resilience effort” set out today

Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, Matt Western, said: 

“I welcome today’s new strategy. It seeks to provide a wide-ranging assessment across defence and security, critical infrastructure, advanced technology, soft power, industry and trade - to name just a few of the topics it covers. 

Security is no longer something that happens ‘over there’ – it is an increasingly tangible feature of our lives. The Government notes that “for the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat”, while addressing wider issues around international competition, technology and climate change.

This requires a whole-of-society response. The strategy envisions a “new national resilience effort”, bringing the UK towards spending 5% of GDP on security and defence. This would require a major cultural shift, and I look forward to examining the Government’s plans to achieve this.

I am also pleased the Government highlights the threats to undersea internet cables. Our ongoing inquiry is examining the extensive vulnerabilities across our subsea infrastructure, and how the Government can improve protections. 

However, there are a lot of strategies contained within this strategy; focusing on delivery will be key. Meanwhile, the Government has not provided many details about the trade-offs it will likely need to make to reach its goals. Its position on China is particularly unclear. 

My Committee will examine the Government’s new approach closely, and I look forward to probing these issues in forthcoming evidence sessions.”

Further information

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Image: House of Commons/Roger Harris