Growing threats force review into security spending

A REVIEW into Britain’s national security capabilities has been ordered in light of the evolving threat from Russia, terrorism and cyber attacks.

It comes less than two years after the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), which was intended to finalise defence plans for the rest of the decade.

A government source told The Daily Telegraph that the review was not looking at finding more money, but “where the money is spent”. The source said: “In 2015 the focus was on a resurgent Russia and the Islamist threat. Those threats have intensified. It’s a more dangerous world than we’ve predicted.

“We face escalating threats and need to make sure we have the right equipment to face those threats.”

The latest announcement comes after Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, suggested that Britain could launch military retaliation such as air strikes against a future cyber attack, reflecting rising concern about the militarisation of cyber space and the havoc such attacks can cause.

Last night the Government insisted the review, which is expected to conclude by the end of the year, was not a new SDSR – the last of which was published in November 2015.

David Cameron pledged to increase defence spending to the equivalent of two per cent of GDP to meet Britain’s Nato commitments.

However, the “increase” also meant that certain expenditure, including pensions and UN peacekeeping, are now included in the two per cent commitment – a move described as “creative accounting” by senior MPS. The National Audit Office warned in January that defence chiefs must find nearly £6billion of additional savings or officials will be forced to cut or delay plans for new tanks and aircraft.

It said the risks to the affordability of the Ministry of Defence’s 10-year spending plan were greater than at any point since its introduction in 2012.

The new cross-government review in Britain’s capabilities will be led by Mark Sedwill, the National Security Adviser.

It will cover counter-terrorism strategy, as well as organised crime and defence.

In a statement on the last day of parliament, the Cabinet Office said: “The national security capability review will include examination of the policy and plans which support implementation of the national security strategy, and help to ensure that the UK’S investment in national security capabilities is as joined-up, effective and efficient as possible, to address current national security challenges.

“The review will also be informed by work which has already been commissioned in response to recent national security-related incidents.”