The UK National Security Council and misuse of intelligence by policy makers: reducing the risk?

Abstract

The National Security Council was created to bring together decision makers and experts to discuss and implement the UK's National Security Strategy. Its creation may have decreased the likelihood of some types of intelligence failures by policy makers, for example misunderstanding the nature and limitations of intelligence, but there is conflicting evidence regarding whether it has mitigated the risk of others, like groupthink bias. Moreover, the NSC is neither a statutory institution nor is its use by members of the executive obligatory or prescribed. Therefore, its effectiveness continues to be subject to the whim of the prime minister of the day.

Epidemics and pandemics risk governance: a case of post-COVID-19 in the United Kingdom

“…In addition to correct risk assessment, an appraisal is vital when dealing with emergencies, especially when dealing with unknown pandemic outbreaks. For example, Parker (2020) highlighted how important the UK's NSC is for gathering intelligence on any future threats to the United Kingdom. He recommends using the NSC, rather than limiting their role, and introducing necessary legislative measures to support the services for which the NSC was initially established.…”

“…The NSC takes decisions on matters relating to national security and is generally chaired by the Prime Minister ( GOV.UK, 2020a ). According to Parker (2020) , the NSC has played a significant role in the UK's intelligence and security matters over the decades. However, the present PM has canceled the NSC meetings after disagreements with his executive colleagues regarding the scope of the major defense and national security review planned for 2020, without recognizing their contribution ( Parker, 2020 ).…”

Synchronization of National Security Policy in the Discourse of the Establishment of the National Security Council

“…To create it all with the existence of a NSC that can improve national security, it is necessary to synchronize national security policy into the urgency of all dimensions of national security and the performance of existing stakeholders as agents or actors of domestic and foreign security. NSC was designed as the primary forum for discussing the government's strategy for national security (Parker, 2020). National security is a public policy that ensures the nation's safety and the country using economic, military, and diplomatic forces.…”