Nordic ambassadors address new Lords committee on UK national resilience

Monday, 16 March 2026 08:20

Ambassadors to the UK from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden to be questioned on conscription and reservist forces Committee will ask: "If you could make one recommendation to the UK Government about preparedness and resilience, what would it be?" Four ambassadors to the UK - from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden - will address a new Lords committee on national resilience as part of an inquiry looking at how the UK can be prepared in a period of sustained...Request free trial

Ambassadors to the UK from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden to be questioned on conscription and reservist forces
Committee will ask: "If you could make one recommendation to the UK Government about preparedness and resilience, what would it be?"

Four ambassadors to the UK - from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden - will address a new Lords committee on national resilience as part of an inquiry looking at how the UK can be prepared in a period of sustained instability.

The ambassadors to the UK giving evidence at 10.30am in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords on Thursday March 19 are:

Tore Hattrem, Ambassador for Norway

Stefan Gullgren, Ambassador for Sweden

Kristina Beckvard, Ambassador for Denmark

Teemu Turunen, Ambassador for Finland

Questions likely be asked include:

- How has the geopolitical situation in your countries affected the importance of homeland security and resilience?

- How much is spent on resilience in your countries?

- How do Nordic governments communicate with the public about national preparedness and defence, and encourage public participation in resilience measures?

- What conscription, reservist and youth elements exist in your countries?

The session can be attended in person or watched live or later on Parliament TV.

The cross-party Lords National Resilience Committee is assessing geopolitical, economic and technological threats and examining how the the UK might best prepare for, and respond to, a range of national crises and disruptions.

It has already heard that resilience cannot be viewed narrowly as an emergency response capability, and is looking at several areas such as energy networks, vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure, disinformation and other threats - and how closer cooperation between government, public and private sectors could be essential to mitigate risks. .

The session on Thursday forms part of an inquiry that will report in November 2026.

The committee has also issued its call for evidence. This is a public call for written evidence. All committee activity can be followed on its LinkedIn page here: LinkedIn.