Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will set out the (a) remit and (b) responsibilities of each Deputy National Security Adviser, including how they differ from those of the National Security Adviser.

There are currently three Deputy National Security Advisers (DNSAs), one for International Affairs, one for International Economics and Global Issues, and one for Defence, Intelligence and Security.

The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the most senior figure that provides advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. The NSA attends the National Security Council and oversees cross-government delivery of the National Security Strategy 2025. The DNSAs also provide advice to the Prime Minister on issues within their portfolios, and coordinate relevant policy and operational issues across government at Director-General level.

The DNSAs have additional responsibilities as Civil Servant leaders which the NSA does not undertake. They act as secretaries to the National Security Council and chair the National Security Council (Official-level) meetings. The Executive DNSA, who currently also holds the post of Defence, Intelligence, and Security DNSA, is also responsible for managing the National Security Secretariat’s corporate responsibilities such as headcount, finances, and compliance, as well as being a member for the Cabinet Office Executive Committee.