Major UK defence and security review paused amid pandemic

The Cabinet Office have said the major review of defence, security and foreign policy has now been paused amid the pandemic.

The review is regarded as the largest assessment of the UK’s foreign policy since the end of the Cold War in the 90s.

The review, which was due to be completed later this year, has had recommendations implemented over many years.

Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee said there would be no point in conducting the review whilst government are focusses on coronavirus.

Ellwood said, “We welcome this delay of the Integrated Review. There would be no point in conducting an in-depth review of the nation’s defence and security challenges to an artificial deadline, especially at a time when Whitehall is rightly focusing on tackling coronavirus.

“We look forward to engaging with the department when the review restarts, with the added element of the consequences of the pandemic to be considered.

“We will still report in due course on the committee’s inquiry into how Government should conduct the review and hope that this work will inform the process in the future.”