Update on the Integrated Review call for evidence: December 2020
Updated 16 December 2020
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1. Introduction
The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy (the Integrated Review) will set out our overarching strategic framework for national security and foreign policy, including defence, diplomacy, development and national resilience.
On 13 August 2020 a call for evidence was published on GOV.UK and closed for submissions on 11 September. The public were asked to contribute answers to a range of topical security, defence, development and foreign policy questions. These contributions have been used to inform subsequent policy development. As the Prime Minister said in his statement to the House of Commons on 19 November, the full conclusions of the Integrated Review will be published in the new year.
2. Key statistics and topics
Out of a total 452 submissions, 441 met the criteria in the guidance published with the call for evidence.
Three commonly referenced topics emerged: Defence (171), Development (112) and Resilience (106). A wide range of individuals and organisations submitted responses, including from industry; non-governmental organisations; international organisations, academia; think tanks; local government; local resilience forums; the media; religious organisations; and fire and police organisations. 140 submissions were received from individuals and 301 submissions from organisations.
All submissions have been reviewed and catalogued. Submissions that contextualised and synthesised the key points of the evidence they referenced were summarised, shared and discussed with policy teams and helped to inform decision-makers.
3. Ongoing engagement
The call for evidence is part of a wider effort to ensure the Integrated Review is informed by a strong and diverse evidence base. The Cabinet Office and other Departments delivering the Review have consulted and engaged with a wide range of global partners and allies, businesses, and experts on the themes and analysis underpinning the Integrated Review. This includes the government’s Open Innovation Team and Wilton Park, who facilitated 11 roundtable discussions and workshops, with inputs from over 100 external experts from 23 countries, as well as a range of discussions with global academics and experts led by our overseas network, and further external engagement by departments on key questions as they emerged during the IR process.
We are committed to the ongoing use of evidence gathered during the review. Evidence must underpin the continued development of the UK’s international and national security strategy. For further information please contact [email protected].