Contents
2 The National Security Council: how—and how effectively—does it operate?
A brief introduction to the NSC and its machinery
How is the NSC distinguished from other ministerial committees?
The role of the Prime Minister as Chair
The role of the National Security Adviser as Secretary
How are the NSC’s decisions funded?
How are the NSC’s decisions implemented?
How does the NSC serve the whole of the UK?
Conclusion: What next for the NSC?
Should the NSC be placed on a statutory footing?
3 What does the NSC need to fulfil its role effectively?
Building the NSC’s understanding
Long-term thinking and testing assumptions
Analytical capabilities and warning functions
Use of open-source information
Counteracting groupthink: diversity of thought and use of challenge
Robust risk management processes
Utility of the National Security Risk Assessment
Central governance and oversight: three lines of defence model
A national security profession
Transparency and accountability
The role of the UK Parliament and parliamentary scrutiny
Understanding Afghanistan and planning for the withdrawal of NATO troops
Annex 1: An introduction to the 2021 Integrated Review
Annex 2: High-level summary of reserved and devolved powers relevant to national security
Annex 3: Acronyms and abbreviations
Conclusions and recommendations
Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
Published: 19 September 2021 Site information Accessibility statement