Defence and Security in the United Kingdom

The terrorist attack of 11 September 2001has lead to a re-evaluation of threats to UK security and defence. This report is the result of a long and wide-ranging inquiry that has looked at a range of threats, including chemical, biological and radiological. The overall conclusion is that there has been inadequate central co-ordination and direction. The Government has not taken the opportunity to conduct a proper examination of how the UK would manage a disaster on the scale of September 11th and in many cases it has confused activity with achievement. A strong central authority is needed to lay down clear criteria for the work of individual departments and co-ordinate the efforts of other agencies. The report makes recommendations that should go some way to creating such an authority