Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3.1.19 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when does he plan to deliver a national conversation campaign on defence and security in order to (a) raise public awareness of the threats to the UK, (b) how Defence deters and protects against them and (c) why Defence requires support to strengthen the nation’s resilience.

The National Conversation is a programme of public engagement led by the Cabinet Office as part of the Home Defence Programme. Delivery is already underway and will continue through 2027.

Defence is supporting this work through planned public engagement activities and a coherent programme of communications. These have been designed to improve understanding of the threats facing the UK, explain the role of Defence in deterrence and national resilience, and encourage practical participation by individuals, communities and employers.

Defence also works with the Cabinet Office to deliver the public facing National Risk Register (NRR), (updated in July 2026), and the internal National Security Risk Assessment which informs the Government’s assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a broad range of risks that may directly affect the UK and its interests. The NRR demonstrates publicly what the Government is doing to plan against these risks and raises public awareness of the threats enabling a whole of society approach to strengthening the nation’s resilience. Defence is also supporting the upcoming Cabinet Office-led national resilience public awareness campaign, announced in the Annual Statement on National Resilience delivered to Parliament on July 14, 2026.

Success will be measured by increased public preparedness, participation and resilience. Government messaging on defence and security will continue to build ahead of ALBISTON SHADOW, a major UK Home Defence exercise, and NATO’s Crisis Management Exercise in spring 2027.