29 Jan 21. Defence Committee – Evidence Session Announcement. Defence to hold session on NATO and US-UK defence relations. On Tuesday 2 February, at 14.30, the Defence Committee will hold a one-off evidence session on NATO and US and UK defence relations. The session will explore the challenges and opportunities for strengthening NATO, US and UK defence relations within the context of a new US Administration and the UK’s departure from the European Union. The session will explore the likely change in approach of the Biden Administration, which is expected to re-engage with multilateral organisations, agreements and treaties, conduct a more internationalist foreign policy and repair relations with allies, as well as the potential lasting impact of President Trump’s “America First” policies. The session will examine the UK as an ally to the US, and the policies that may enhance the US-UK defence relationship, as well as the role of NATO.
2 February, 14.30:
- Lord Darroch KCMG, former UK Ambassador to Washington (2016-2019) and National Security Adviser (2012-15)
- Dr Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow, Council of Foreign Relations and Former Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (2014-2017) and Director for European Affairs, US National Security Council (1993-1994).
- Sir Adam Thomson KCMG, Director of the European Leadership Network and former UK Permanent Representative to NATO (2014-2016)
House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Defence: Employment
Question for Ministry of Defence
Andrew Jones
Conservative
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Commons
What assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on employment of the defence settlement.
Answer
Mr Ben Wallace
Conservative
Wyre and Preston North
Commons
Answered on
1 February 2021
The Ministry of Defence already supports over 390,000 jobs in the UK and in 2019, the UK won £11billion worth of export orders. The multi-year defence settlement will protect this important contribution and build on it by investing in cutting edge capabilities, research and development.
Integrated Review of Security
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 911618, tabled on 1 February 2021
Emma Hardy
Labour
Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle
Commons
When he plans to publish the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy; and if he will make a statement.
Answer
Mr Ben Wallace
Conservative
Wyre and Preston North
Commons
Answered on
1 February 2021
My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, expects to be able to publish the Review’s conclusions in the spring.
In relation to the Defence elements of the Review in particular, I can tell the House that I intend to set out further details of our plans in the weeks after the Integrated Review’s publication.
Defence: Climate Change
Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 911639, tabled on 1 February 2021
Question
Anna McMorrin
Labour
Cardiff North
Commons
What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the international climate emergency on UK defence preparedness.
Answer
Jeremy Quin
Conservative
Horsham
Commons
Answered on
1 February 2021
The Ministry of Defence recognises that climate change is already having an impact on Defence. A review is ongoing to assess the wider implications and to identify actions needed to enable defence to operate at full potential in an increasingly challenging security and physical environment.