The Government has published its National Security Strategy A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty which outlines the Coalition reappraisal of Britain’s role in the world, the risks to security and their implication for the UK.
You can download the 39-page document at the Number 10 website.<br><br>The strategy has been drawn up by the new National Security Council as part of an assessment of Britain’s defence needs. <br><br>This Strategy describes how the country needs the structures in place to allow us to react quickly and effectively to new and evolving threats to our security.<br><br>The National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review mark it’s claimed a step-change in the UK’s ability to protect its security and advance its interests in the world.<br><br>In a Written Ministerial Statement the Prime Minister David Cameron said:<br><br>“The United Kingdom faces a complex array of threats from a myriad of sources. The National Security Strategy describes the strategic context within which these threats arise, and how they may develop in the future. It describes Britain’s place in the world, as an open, outward-facing nation whose political, economic and cultural authority far exceeds our size. Our national interest requires our continued full and active engagement in world affairs, promoting our security, our prosperity and our values.”<br><br>The Strategy highlights national security priorities: counter terrorism, cyber security, international military crisis and national disasters such as floods and pandemics.<br><br>The Government consulted to a range of views – from members of the Armed Forces, academics, MPs, industry, allies and public servants.<br><br>The National Security Council will oversee implementation of the strategy, and will ensure that the whole of government comes together to make it happen.
A|D|S, a UK AeroSpace, Defence and Security trade body welcomed the publication of the National Security Strategy and stressed the importance of the industry in achieving its goals alongside the Government’s wider economic recovery aims.
Ian Godden, Chairman of A|D|S, said: "The Government has identified within its new National Security Strategy the broad range of security risks that face the country and against which the nation and its citizens must be protected. We welcome the strategy and the incorporation of wider security aspects alongside the defence elements of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. These include the country’s approach to cyber-security, international terrorism, serious organised crime and energy security. These wider elements are important parts of the National Security Strategy and we believe that the security industry has many roles to play in meeting these challenges.
“Security and resilience is a sector that can also benefit the country’s economy. The UK has strong industrial capabilities and there is great potential for these to produce increased exports and an expanded industrial base in the UK. A closer partnership between Government and industry will help to deliver national security objectives but it will also help to fulfil the economic potential of a potentially world-leading sector. The global security market is growing and is estimated to be worth around $140-180bn annually. Industry and Government share the goal of a major uplift in the performance of UK security exports with the Government playing a similar role in security to that played in relation to defence exports.
"Industry looks forward to further developing its dialogue with the Home Office, Cabinet Office and other departments on strengthening co-operation in tackling key threats to national security such as terrorism and cyber attacks. We also welcome the Government’s renewed focus arising from the SDSR on the resilience of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). The security supply community has many roles to play in CNI protection and resilience; especially by supporting the emergency services and the operators of the CNI. The operators are themselves overwhelmingly made up of private sector entities – with capabilities relevant to this crucial element of national security policy.”
Notes
A|D|S is a trade organisation for UK AeroSpace, Defence and Security industries with Farnborough International Limited as a wholly-owned subsidiary. It is formed from the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). For more information see www.adsgroup.org.uk.
