A ‘root and branch’ review of UK defence has been launched by Prime Minister Keir Starmer today to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad for decades to come.
Highlights:
- Strategic Defence Review to ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad.
- Review has been commissioned by the Prime Minister, will be overseen by the Defence Secretary John Healey, and headed by Lord Robertson – reporting in the first half of 2025.
- It is to be Britain’s review – not just the Government’s – so will consult serving military, veterans, MPs of all parties, industry, and academia.
The Review will be delivered at pace and report in the first half of 2025, with work starting immediately in recognition of the urgency of the threats facing the UK. It comes as the Defence Secretary John Healey argues that “at the start of a new era for Britain, we need a new era for defence. The Review will strengthen the foundations for this new mission-driven Government.”
With a new era requiring a new type of review, the Strategic Defence Review will be headed by three external Reviewers in a first-of-its-kind for UK defence: Lord Robertson – Former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General (Review lead); Dr Fiona Hill CMG – Foreign policy expert and former US presidential advisor; General Sir Richard Barrons – Former Commander Joint Forces Command and former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff
The Reviewers will be supported by a Defence Review Team of senior high level experts from inside and outside Government and will engage widely across the defence community. Submissions will be invited until the end of September from serving and retired members of the Armed Forces, the defence industry, the general public, academics, Parliament, and our closest allies and partners, especially in NATO.
Defence Secretary, John Healey will oversee the Review and the Reviewers will regularly update him, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor on progress. The Defence Review Team will be supported by a Secretariat from the Ministry of Defence.
FPS Chief Executive, Neil Marshall said:
“No matter the outcome of this latest Defence Review, people will remain at the very heart of military capability. Part of their overall remuneration package is a pension scheme that encourages service, provides a financial platform for a second career and ultimately a dignified retirement. Our policy position, which the MoD is aware of, and will be submitted to the Review team remains firmly rooted in our 5 Pillars model shown here which links to career structures and operational effectiveness.
We also await the Government’s plans for the implementation of the significant Haythornthwaite recommendations first published in June 2023. Once seen we will engage accordingly and keep you posted.“
You can read the full press release from the MOD here.
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