Former MI5 Director to give evidence on Integrated Security Fund to MPs
The Foreign Affairs Committee will examine the impact of the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) on the UK’s ability to prevent and influence global conflicts, in a one-off evidence session at 11.00 on Tuesday 9 June.
The ISF is the only cross-Government fund tasked with tackling the highest priority threats to UK national security, both domestic and international. In 2024/25, the ISF invested £965 million across over 20 Government departments and agencies.
The Government recently announced that control of the ISF would be moved from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to the Cabinet Office. This shift has coincided with a ‘narrowing of focus’, which has led to the closure of some portfolios, including Africa, Gender and National Security and Western Balkans.
Meeting details
MPs will examine the risk of geopolitical blind spots forming as the fund’s focus shifts, as well as the fall in funding to counter Russian aggression in some parts of the world.
The Committee is likely to consider if there is a balance to be struck between investment in hard security and peacebuilding measures. The potential impact of ongoing restructuring work at the FCDO and what this means for the UK’s influence on the world stage is also likely to be considered.