Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, who will conduct the review of the export licensing policy; what the (a) planned timetable and (b) terms of reference of that review will be; and (i) which groups and organisations his Department plans to consult and (ii) whether there will be a public consultation.

The implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations will be led by the Ministry of Defence.

This will include the transfer of UK Defence and Security Exports from the Department for Business and Trade to the MOD.

This will also include consideration of how our export licensing processes can best support UK industry participation in international defence programmes.

It does not include plans to change the operation of the Export Control Joint Unit, which is led by the Department for Business and Trade, supported by MOD and FCDO.

It also does not include plans to change our Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, through which ECJU implements its responsibilities under the Export Control Act.

DBT and MOD will continue to engage with the relevant committees in Parliament on the detail of this work as it develops.