Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat McFadden and Richard Foord

Thursday 10th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)]

The BBC covered the Government’s publication of the national security strategy last month with the headline “UK must prepare for war scenario”. Often, the public will read an alarming headline like that without reading about the context, or about what it might mean for them or what they should do about it. Will the Government draw on academic expertise, such as that at the Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence and Security at the University of Exeter, in engaging with our constituents on this subject?

[Pat McFadden]

The hon. Member makes a very good point about engagement with the public. Anyone who has watched the news in recent years will know that the defence picture across Europe is changing. I made a statement to the House earlier this week on the importance of resilience. Resilience is not just a matter for Government, although the Government do have their responsibilities; it is a whole-of-society effort, and it will require proper dialogue and communication with the public.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat McFadden and Richard Foord

Thursday 5th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

The right hon. Member asks a very important question about the twin interests of national security and economic growth. In this territory, we work with UK organisations that hold genomic data to make sure that they have robust data protection systems in place, and our security services give them advice on these matters on a regular basis, so that our pursuit of growth does not conflict with our very important national security objectives.

[Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)]

7. What steps he is taking to increase national resilience.

[Ashley Dalton (West Lancashire) (Lab)]

13. What recent progress his Department has made on strengthening national resilience.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (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.

[Richard Foord]

The module 1 report recommended resilience and preparedness, and particularly

“Bringing in external expertise from outside government and the Civil Service to…guard against ‘groupthink’”.

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?

[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. It is really important that, as part of this, we hear voices not just from Whitehall but from beyond, too.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat McFadden and Richard Foord

Thursday 25th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

All lessons should be learned about the procurement pressures at that time, including the lesson that my hon. Friend mentioned.

[Richard Foord (Honiton and Sidmouth) (LD)]

T9. We heard at the covid inquiry that Cabinet Office structures were not designed to manage a whole-of-Government crisis. What might the Government change to better prepare for the next emergency?

[Pat McFadden]

The great danger is preparing perfectly for the last war. The real challenge in resilience is looking around the corner for things that have not already happened. As we respond to the covid pandemic, it is important to keep that in mind, and we will try to do that.