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Helping government play a central role in planning for emergencies, and working closely with other government departments, is essential in order to prepare for unexpected events.

National Security

The Government published the first National Security Strategy³ in March 2008 to respond to current security challenges. It sets out how we have learned the lessons of recent years, including experiences of terrorism and civil emergencies, in the UK and overseas.

Drawing on knowledge from across government departments, agencies and forces, it contributes to our overarching national security objective: protecting the UK and its interests, enabling its people to go about their daily lives freely and with confidence, in a more secure, stable, just and prosperous world.

To support the strategy, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a National Security Forum, whose responsibility is to provide informed and independent advice to government. An interim body chaired by Lord West met in March 2009 and brought together a range of experts from the worlds of business, academia, the military and security. The Forum's work is supported by the National Security Secretariat.

In October 2008 the National Security Secretariat was established with responsibility for supporting and advising the Prime Minister and the Cabinet's National Security Committee on all areas of national security. It is working towards the publication of a first annual update to the National Security Strategy to be published at the end of June 2009.

Based in the Cabinet Office, but working across government, the Secretariat manages the Government's response to crises and monitors performance against the National Security Strategy. The Secretariat operates and coordinates central government's crisis management facility (COBR) and manages central government's response to emergencies.

Among many other areas of work, the Secretariat has also been leading a cross-government project to consider the UK's approach to cyber security. It is working with international and industry partners to develop a comprehensive and coherent approach to cyber security in the UK. Cyber security is a priority for Government as it cuts across almost all of the challenges outlined in the National Security Strategy.

Coordinating the country's response

The Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) coordinates the Government's response to, and planning for, civil emergencies.

It aims to improve the UK's resilience at every level (central, regional and local) against disruptive challenges.

Protecting the National Interest

The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) provides ministers and senior officials with cross-departmental intelligence assessments on issues important to national interests. It also provides a warning and monitoring function for the Government. Chaired by Alex Allan, the JIC comprises senior officials from a range of departments. These include Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Department for International Development, HM Treasury, and Cabinet Office. The heads of the intelligence agencies - Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and GCHQ - are also members.

Supported by a Secretariat and Assessments Staff, the JIC drafts assessments of current issues, which are informed by intelligence gathering. These issues are then discussed and approved by the JIC before being circulated.

In 2008 the committee supported the Government's response to 70 crises via the central Government's crisis management facility, COBR.

Driving foreign and defence policy (FDP)

The Foreign and Defence Policy (FDP) Secretariat is responsible for driving and delivering policy across departments.

Over the course of the past year it has led the Government's development and implementation of the strategies to help build stability in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. In April 2009, the Prime Minister published a strategy, UK policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan: the way forward⁴. The document built on both the strategy for Afghanistan announced by him in December 2007, and the consistent support Britain has given Pakistan in recent years.

The Secretariat supported the Prime Minister's response to international crises, such as in Georgia and Gaza, and prepared him for international visits. It also supported him in hosting summits on UK/China and Global Europe.

The National Security Strategy worked to improve Britain's preparedness for severe natural hazards. These included a flu pandemic, and widespread coastal and river flooding on the scale of 2007. As a result:

• UK's preparedness for a flu pandemic - identified as the highest risk to public safety - has been judged by the World Health Organisation as among the most advanced in the world. CCS and the Department of Health have identified priority areas for improvement over the coming months.
• The Government is making good progress in responding to the recommendations of the Pitt Report following the widespread flooding in 2007. Sir Michael Pitt was asked by ministers to carry out a review of the flood-related emergencies which occurred during the summer of 2007. The three months from May to July were the wettest since records began and the events that followed were linked to the deaths of 13 people. The flooding also resulted in damage to approximately 48,000 homes and 7,000 businesses
• The report contained a total of 15 recommendations and 72 interim conclusions. They were strategic in nature but with implications for every locality in the country.
• The National Security Strategy³ mentions the publication of a national-level risk register to support community resilience. The first register was published on 8 August 2008; publication of these risks has enabled work to begin to address them at a local or community level.