ATTACHMENT
EMBARGOED UNTIL 11.30AM TUESDAY, MARCH 16
- Landmark foreign policy and national security review will set
out the PM’s vision for a stronger, more secure, prosperous and
resilient UK in 2030
- New strategy will drive investment in domestic industries
like defence, technology and alternative energy
- More foreign and defence work will be done outside of London
with the expansion of the FCDO’s East Kilbride office, the
National Cyber Force HQ in the North and the creation of regional
trade hubs
The Integrated Review of security, defence, development and
foreign policy, published tomorrow, will make the case for a UK
international policy that rests on strong domestic foundations –
in particular our security, resilience and a robust economy at
home.
At the heart of our ability to be a strong international player
is shoring up those foundations and the Integrated Review will
make a case for more investment in national infrastructure,
innovation and skills to ensure the UK can compete on a global
level.
In November the Prime Minister announced the first conclusion of
the Integrated Review: a £24bn programme of investment in
defence. This will allow the Government to invest in cutting-edge
technology while creating 40,000 British jobs over the next four
years.
Further commitments will be made to strengthening the UK’s core
industrial base in the Integrated Review, from building ships in
Scotland and armoured vehicles in Wales, to lithium mining in
Cornwall and manufacturing satellites in Northern Ireland.
These investments will create jobs for the future and maximise
our advantage in science and technology while diversifying the
UK’s supply in goods critical for our defence and economy.
The Prime Minister said:
“The foundation of our foreign policy is who we are as a
country: our values, our strengths and – most importantly - our
people. So I am determined to ensure we have a foreign policy
that delivers for those people.
“Our international ambitions must start at home, and
through the Integrated Review we will drive investment back into
our communities, ensuring the UK is on the cutting-edge of
innovation and creating an entire country that is match-fit for a
more competitive world.”
The review also recognises the greatest source of strength - at
home and abroad - is the Union between England, Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland. By combining the resources of our Union and
pooling the expertise of our citizens in areas such as science
and health we have been able to respond to global challenges and
project our influence overseas.
We will therefore ensure our international policy thinking is
driven by the whole UK. The Integrated Review will announce that
the number of staff at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office hub in East Kilbride will increase by 500, taking the
total number of jobs now based in Scotland to 1,500. Further jobs
will also be created outside of London by the establishment of
the new National Cyber Security Force HQ in the North of England
and trade hubs in Wales and Northern Ireland. The new trade hubs
will work on the same model as the one established in Edinburgh
last year.
The UK is a country with uniquely global interests. While our
success internationally is built on domestic foundations, our
prosperity is inextricably linked to our integration into the
global economic and financial system.
With less than 1% of the global population we were the world’s
5th biggest exporter in 2019. We sold £690 billion of
goods and services to the rest of the world, sustaining millions
of jobs – of which three quarters were outside London. The
Government will therefore prioritise the creation of an open
international order where free trade thrives.
We will expand our trading relationships, champion free trade and
reinvigorate the World Trade Organisation. The UK is currently
negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the US, Australia and New
Zealand, and we are applying for accession to the CPTPP. These
negotiations and others will help realise the Government’s
manifesto commitment to agree trade agreements with countries
covering 80% of UK trade by the end of 2022.
