Legislation being developed to give ministers powers in reserve for escalation towards war will cover the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and the government has committed to bring it forward within this Parliament, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative member for Huntingdon, asked what progress had been made on recommendation 33 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, which covers legislative reform that could direct industry to prioritise defence nuclear requirements in the sovereign supply chain, or enable compulsory acquisition of assets where necessary to protect national security.
Luke Pollard, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, said: “The Government has accepted the SDR recommendation to develop a ‘Defence Readiness Bill’ to ensure ‘the Government has powers in reserve to respond effectively in the event of escalation towards a war involving the UK or its allies’. Defence is working closely with the rest of government to develop detailed policy requirements, including for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and to establish what new legislation is required as part of the Government’s wider Home Defence programme.
“Defence Readiness legislation is being developed to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe, both now and in times of heightened crisis or escalation towards war.”
The minister listed the measures under development as improving the ability to defend against sub-threshold threats; increasing industry preparedness, agility and resilience; expanding the supply of privately owned services to defence and access to and protection of critical national infrastructure; and strengthening the mobilisation of defence’s people, including the Reserves and civil servants.
Mr Pollard added: “The Government has committed to deliver this legislation within this Parliament. As is standard with the legislative process, any future legislation will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.”
The answer does not say whether the powers to direct industry or compulsorily acquire assets that Mr Obese-Jecty asked about will appear in the Bill, and no date was given for its introduction.
A second question from the same member asked about progress on recommendation 30, which seeks to strengthen NATO and British led training and exercises addressing escalation and conflict scenarios with nuclear-armed states.
Louise Sandher-Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary and Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “The Government is implementing the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, including Recommendation 30, which seeks to strengthen coherence between the conventional and nuclear elements of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.
“The Ministry of Defence continues to strengthen UK and NATO-led training and exercises through a programme of national and multinational activity that improves readiness, interoperability and the ability of Allied forces to operate across the full spectrum of conflict. This includes participation in NATO’s exercise programme, including the Alliance’s flagship STEADFAST exercise series, which tests collective defence plans and strengthens Allied deterrence and defence.
“Through these activities, we are working closely with Allies to ensure NATO is better prepared to deter, defend against and, if necessary, respond to threats from capable and nuclear-armed adversaries.”
The latest instalment of that series, the annual nuclear deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon, begins in Italy on Tuesday with seventeen nations taking part.
