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The UK government has a fresh look at its national security and international policy

Geo-politics have shifted since the first Integrated Review (IR) – find out more about the government’s refresh of the initial strategy.

31 Mar 2023, 3 min read

The government has released a refresh of its Integrated Review (IR) in March – as companies like yours have been keeping an eye on China, and how the IR could work in the new business landscape of 2023. The IR refresh sees current geopolitical events as ‘a period of heightened risk and volatility which will last beyond 2030’. In response, an updated UK foreign, defence and trade policy approach has been created under the IR refresh.   

Last November, the CBI submitted proposals to improve the IR, so that the UK can meet its modern day geo-political challenges. This included giving businesses a larger role to play in enhancing the UK’s global position with its allies and competitors and adding greater granularity and support for specific areas of excellence like in science and tech leadership.  

The IR refresh sets a more defensive tone to UK’s national security and international policy, in response to a more contested and volatile world, but it also keeps up with the previous goals across most policy areas – from science and tech to national security and tackling climate change. 

It is clear from the refresh that the UK will need to work on a detailed plan to balance security and resiliency whilst also utilising foreign and trade policy to unlock opportunities in areas of UK strength.  

What are the 4 key takeaways from the refresh?

1. Russia's war in Ukraine, subsequent inflation and IRA have pivoted the UK back towards Europe. 

  • The refresh increases the cost to Russia of disrupting UK and Euro-Atlantic stability and further strengthening NATO as a foundation for collective security. 

2. There is greater emphasis on resilience, as a mechanism to enable long-term security, through a new operating model for national security.

  • There are a series of new strategies on critical minerals semiconductors and supply chains and imports. 

3. The refresh recognises the strategic advantage of Science and Tech – but falls short on a clear plan for implementation.

  • There is a clear approach on supply chain risks in the five priority technologies AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, future telecommunications, and engineering biology. And enables more government and industry dialogue through establishing taskforces e.g. On AI foundation models. 

4. The rhetoric on China has shifted the balance between risk and opportunity, which is broadly welcomed by members.  

  • The refresh addresses supply chain dependency risks, but also recognises the importance of China as a market and in supply chains.  Working with China on climate change is also referenced but needs further detail. The refresh doubles funding for China capabilities to create further understanding of the market. 

It’s essential for the UK that businesses and government work together to make the Integrated Review a success – and the CBI will ensure that your business needs are met.