Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy

Wednesday 26th February 2020 Written Statements

[The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)]

Today the Government are setting out their approach to the integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy.

The Government have set in train the biggest review of our foreign, defence, security and development policy since the end of the cold war. We need to grasp the opportunities of the next decade and deliver upon the Government’s priorities. This is a defining moment in how the UK relates to the rest of the world and we want to take this unique opportunity to reassess our priorities and our approach to delivering them.

The integrated review will:

Define the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy.

Set out the way in which the UK will be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation, examining how we work more effectively with our allies.

Determine the capabilities we need for the next decade and beyond to pursue our objectives and address the risks and threats we face.

Identify the necessary reforms to Government systems and structures to achieve these goals.

Outline a clear approach to implementation over the next decade and set out how we will evaluate delivery of our aims.

The review will be underpinned by the commitments the Government have already made to continue to exceed the NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defence, to commit 0.7% of GNI to international development and to maintain the nuclear deterrent.

A cross-Whitehall team in the Cabinet secretariat, and a small taskforce in No 10, will report to me and the National Security Council. The review will be closely aligned with this year’s comprehensive spending review but will also look beyond it. The Government will consult with experts beyond Whitehall—in the UK and among our allies—in order to ensure the best possible outcome and to build a strong platform for the decade ahead. We will keep Parliament fully informed during the process as we deliver a review that is in the best interests of the British people across the United Kingdom.

[HCWS126]