Countering International Terrorism: Broader issues
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103. The Government considers investment in counter-terrorism and resilience to be a priority and this has been reflected in the resources which have been made available both to respond to terrorist events - for example, £775m was made available following the 9/11 attacks - and in support of the delivery of the counter-terrorism strategy.
104. As our knowledge of the effectiveness of counter-terrorism capabilities has increased, and as new threats and opportunities have emerged, the Government has allocated further resources to this area to enable increased capacity. For example, the 2005 Pre Budget Report announced an additional £85m to enable new capabilities to be developed and accelerate delivery of existing plans. Final decisions on how this money is allocated lies with departments. By 2008, annual spending on counter-terrorism, intelligence, and resilience will reach £2bn, which is double what it was prior to 9/11.
105. As part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government will review its counter-terrorism and security plans and expenditure.
Additional resources for counter-terrorism
The Security Service (MI5) is in the process of doubling the size of its counter-terrorism capability. This includes strengthening its partnership with the police by opening offices in key regions outside London. Police forces across the UK are being given additional funding to increase CT capabilities including special branch coverage of terrorist suspects, and specialist investigation capabilities.
Additional resources for resilience
The Government has more than doubled its contribution to local authorities' resilience activities, to £40.7m p.a. for each of the years covered by the Spending Review 2004. This 113% increase was strongly welcomed by the Local Government Association.
106. Developing and delivering the Government's counter-terrorism strategy involves all parts of Government acting together and taking a joined-up approach to dealing with this complex and wide-ranging threat. Delivery depends upon partnerships with many others.
107. Counter-terrorism strategy and planning is overseen by a Cabinet committee, DOP(IT), chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Home Secretary as Deputy Chair. Within this framework, the Home Secretary chairs the Cabinet committee, DOP(IT)(PSR), that looks particularly at issues around the PROTECT and PREPARE strands of the strategy.
108. The Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator in the Cabinet Office is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and delivery of pan-government counter-terrorism capability, working to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary as appropriate. The Cabinet Office works closely with the Home Office, which is the lead policy department and responsible for the delivery of a number of the strands of the Government's counter-terrorism planning and programme, and with the other key contributors described below.
109. Other Government departments - such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Department for Transport (DfT), the Treasury, and the Ministry of Defence - take the lead in aspects of policy and its implementation.
110. Operational counter-terrorist activity in the United Kingdom is conducted by the Security Service in close collaboration with police forces across the country and the Anti-Terrorist Branch of the Metropolitan Police. Intelligence in relation to possible terrorist threats at home and overseas is developed by the Security Service, SIS, and GCHQ. Operations against potential terrorists are a police matter. In the event of a terrorist incident the response is led by the Emergency Services and local authorities. Work with communities is led by the Department for Communities and Local Government, supported by the Home Office.
Military force
The British Armed Forces contribute to UK's counter-terrorism strategy, predominantly in PREVENT and PURSUE activities overseas and in specialised elements of PROTECT at home, in particular hostage recovery, maritime counter-terrorism, bomb disposal and the interception of renegade aircraft. Overseas, any military operations which reduce regional instability or prevent the failure of states can assist in the prevention of terrorism, and on a small scale even modest military training can assist other nations to protect themselves and pursue terrorists in their territory, to their benefit and ours.
The Government has declared itself willing to use military force in accordance with international law for counter-terrorism purposes when non-military tools cannot achieve its goals. There will always be considerable challenges in doing so because before we could consider the use of force in a particular case we would have to pinpoint the terrorists precisely, which is usually extremely difficult. It would also be necessary to establish that the use of military force against a particular target is lawful, both in international and domestic law.
111. Much of the work involves partnerships across the public sector - involving the police and emergency services, local authorities, devolved administrations, and central government departments - as well as partnerships with businesses in the private sector, and with the voluntary and charitable sector, which has a key supporting role in any major emergency.
112. Work in and with other countries is and has to be an important part of protecting the UK and its interests. The UK also shares a common interest with many other governments in combating terrorism. International work features prominently throughout the Government's counter-terrorism strategy. Again, many parts of the public sector are involved. The FCO has a leading role, working closely with DfID, the Ministry of Defence, SIS and GCHQ, the police, DfT and others. Through its global network of Posts, the FCO co-ordinates our work with other governments. This includes understanding and combating radicalization, supporting reform, sharing intelligence, assisting governments in improving their counter-terrorism capability, organising joint counter-terrorism exercises, and promoting joint action against known terrorists.
113. The FCO also leads work with and through international organisations such as the EU and the UN to deliver more effective international action against terrorism. This includes action through the sanctions the UN and EU have in place against terrorists and those who support them, the technical assistance that both the UN and EU can provide to countries seeking to enhance their counter-terrorist capacity, and the promotion of the rule of law, respect for human rights, and development of effective criminal justice systems which are essential for successful international action against terrorism.
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