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Ministry of Defence should consider long-term security issues

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Summary

‘The Strategic Defence and Security Review’ (HC 345) details how the Defence Committee is critical of short-term security issues being at the core of the MoD’s first review of defence and security since the 2010 General Election.

The Committee supports the intention to strengthen the country’s defence in a stronger foreign and security policy context. However, concerns have been raised over short-term security issues over-riding long-term defence and security imperatives.

The Government's need to tackle the deficit is understood, but there is concern at the prospect of the MoD's budget not being ring-fenced for the future - unlike those of the Department for International Development (DFID) and Department of Health (DH) - and the possible consequences that this entails.

The capacity of the country to sustain current in-use capabilities and therefore current operations could well be put at risk by the proposed cuts of between 10% and 20%. This report looks at these risks and addresses concerns relating to public consultation and the speed at which the Review process is being undertaken.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a House of Commons paper (HC 345, 2010-11). It is a Report from the House of Commons, Defence Committee.

Find out more about House of Commons papers

How does it affect me?

If you are interested in the UK's defence and security policies, this affects you.

Further Reading

Read about the Ministry of Defence and their work.

Find out more about the Defence Committee.

Find out more about the Department for International Development.

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