Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure the National Security Capability Review prioritises the capability of the UK's defence; and if he will a statement.

The National Security Council (NSC) has agreed the high-level findings of the National Security Capability Review (NSCR). Ministers have agreed that we should finalise the NSCR with a view to publishing a report in late spring.

The NSCR considered threats and opportunities facing the UK. It integrates domestic, international and online security to tackle the increasingly interrelated and complex threats we face. It identified how we can use our national security capabilities more effectively and efficiently to achieve our three national security objectives: Protect our people; Project our global influence; and Promote our prosperity.

The conclusions of the NSCR will be published in late spring. Defence played its full part in the review. As a result of high-level findings from the NSCR, the NSC commissioned a programme of work to modernise defence building on the National Security Strategy and the SDSR15. The aim of the Modernising Defence Programme (MDP) is to make sure that defence is sustainable and affordable and is configured to address the threats we face. The MDP will report to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Defence Secretary.