Human security
A Westminster Hall debate on "Human Security" has been scheduled for Thursday 11 March 2021 from 3:15pm. The debate has been initiated by Wera Hobhouse MP.
The Service complaints system
The Ministry of Defence is reforming the service complaints system. This Commons Library paper explains the evolution of the system, the role of the Ombudsman, criticism and proposed reforms of the system.
Replacing the UK’s nuclear deterrent: the long-awaited warhead decision
In February 2020 the Government confirmed the existence of a replacement warhead programme for its nuclear deterrent. A decision on replacement has been long-awaited, with work on possible options underway since 2006.
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Research Briefing
Replacing the UK’s Nuclear Deterrent: Progress of the Dreadnought Class
In a vote in July 2016 the House of Commons approved the decision to maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s. After almost a decade of work on the project, that vote subsequently enabled the programme to move forward into its manufacturing phase, which will see the construction of four new Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines over the next 15-20 years.
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Research Briefing
Investigation of Former Armed Forces Personnel Who Served in Northern Ireland
The investigation of former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles” is receiving a significant amount of media and parliamentary attention as a result of several ongoing court cases. It is, however, the result of a process which began over a decade ago.
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Research Briefing
Disputes over the British Indian Ocean Territory: February 2021 update
This briefing describes the main developments, since mid-2013, in long-running disputes over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), including reaction to the January 2021 ruling by the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in a dispute between Mauritius and Maldives over the delimitation of their maritime boundaries.
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Debate Pack
Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy
A debate on the "Publication of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy" has been scheduled for Tuesday 9 February 2021 in the main House of Commons Chamber. The debate was selected by the Backbench Business Committee and will be led by Tobias Ellwood MP and John Spellar MP.
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Research Briefing
The Armed Forces Bill 2019 – 2021
This briefing paper sets out the background to the Armed Forces Bill 2019-21. This Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 8 February 2021.
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Research Briefing
UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia: Q&A
This short Commons Library briefing paper examines UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
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Research Briefing
Nationality and immigration requirements for the UK’s armed forces
This briefing paper outlines the nationality requirements for Commonwealth citizens to join the UK's armed forces. It explores the immigration requirements for Commonwealth armed forces personnel on discharge, and the immigration requirements for non-EU family members of both Commonwealth and British armed forces personnel.
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Research Briefing
Nuclear weapons – at a glance
This landing page features a new series of Commons Library briefings on the policies, capabilities and programmes of the nuclear weapon states.
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Research Briefing
The review of the service justice system
The next quinquennial Armed Forces Bill is due in 2021. In 2017 the Ministry of Defence commissioned a review of the service justice system in preparation for the Bill. This paper explains what the Service Justice System is, the main outcomes of the review and the Government’s response.
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Research Briefing
International affairs and defence: Parliamentary debates and statements in the 2019-21 session
This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.
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Research Briefing
End of Brexit transition: implications for defence and foreign policy cooperation
After transition the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provisions no longer apply to the UK and formal cooperation in these areas does not form part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached at the end of December 2020. Instead, the UK Government envisages a flexible, ad hoc approach that will make use of channels of broader dialogue with the EU. How this will work in practice remains to be seen.
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Research Briefing
EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO): a future role for UK defence?
After nearly two years of negotiation, on 5 November 2020 the EU agreed the rules on third state participation in its defence capability development initiative: PESCO. Post Brexit, those rules will now apply to the UK.
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