Government targets later Parliament for readiness bill

The Government is aiming to bring forward proposals for new defence readiness legislation later in this Parliament, but has not set a specific date for introducing the measures.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard provided the update in response to a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Stuart Anderson, who asked when the Defence Readiness Bill would be presented to Parliament. Pollard said the Government is examining what additional legal powers may be required to prepare the country for a major crisis or conflict, following a recommendation in the Strategic Defence Review.

He said: “Defence Readiness legislation is being considered to ensure the Government has the powers it needs to keep the UK safe in crisis or war, as recommended in the Strategic Defence Review.”

The legislation has yet to reach the stage where ministers can provide a firm timetable. Instead, the MOD says detailed policy work is continuing to determine precisely what powers are required and what their wider implications would be.

Pollard said: “We are aiming to deliver legislative proposals later this Parliament. It will take time to develop the detailed policy requirements, understand their implications and establish what new legislation is required.”

That wording leaves both the detailed contents and timing of the proposed legislation under development. It also indicates that the Government has not yet concluded exactly which elements of its defence readiness plans will require new primary legislation.

Any eventual legislation will also have to compete for Parliamentary time.

Pollard added: “As is standard with the legislative process, any future legislation will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows.”

The proposed measures stem from the Strategic Defence Review’s focus on improving the ability of the state, Armed Forces, industry and wider society to respond to a serious security crisis or war. The precise powers to be included have not yet been published. The MOD says officials are working across government on potential measures, with further engagement expected once that work is sufficiently developed.