UK's National Security Strategy to Emphasize Whole-of-Society Resilience and "Grey Zone" Threats

The UK's national security strategy, set to be published on Tuesday, will consolidate reviews commissioned by the government, including the strategic defence review, Aukus alliance review, and China relations audit. The strategy will integrate industrial and trade strategies, resilience strategy, and emphasize the need for whole-of-society resilience. It will address areas such as border security, supply chains, and online safety, and set out systematic plans to counter increasing "grey zone" threats.

Key Takeaways:

• The national security strategy will consolidate multiple reviews, including the strategic defence review, Aukus alliance review, and China relations audit.
• The strategy will emphasize the need for whole-of-society resilience, recognizing that national security "means more than it used to".
• The document will address areas such as border security, supply chains, and online safety.
• Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that investment in energy security and tackling smuggling gangs is vital to national security, reflecting in the national security strategy and the spending review.
• The strategy will set out systematic plans to face a world of increasing "grey zone" threats.
• The UK's industrial and trade strategies and resilience strategy will be integrated into the national security strategy.
• Prime Minister Starmer will pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defence at the Nato summit.

Statistics:

• 5% spending pledge on defence at the Nato summit (source: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer).
• "Grey zone" threats, which encompass a range of areas including border security, supply chains, and online safety, are expected to be a major focus of the national security strategy.
• The UK's national security strategy will consolidate multiple reviews, including the strategic defence review, Aukus alliance review, and China relations audit.
• The national security strategy will be published on Tuesday.

Sources:

• The Guardian ("Starmer heads to Nato summit with 5% spending pledge")
• PA Wire (Image credit)
• The Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Sir Keir Starmer quotes)
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