Defence and Overseas Secretariat
From SR
Roles
The Defence and Overseas Secretariat is responsible for co-ordinating the formation of policy on a wide range of defence, security and foreign policy issues. The key function of the Defence and Overseas Secretariat is to ensure the effective co-ordination, across all Government Departments and Agencies, of policy on defence, security and foreign affairs. It is at the forefront of work to advance the Government’s agenda in these areas, as well as developing longer term strategy. This is achieved through the formal Cabinet Committee machinery, such as the Defence and Overseas Policy Committee, as well as through ad-hoc arrangements.
The Secretariat also provides timely and informed advice to the Prime Minister and other Ministers on all major defence and overseas issues (except for EU business). In addition, the Secretariat is also responsible for the UK’s crisis management machinery, including maintaining plans and facilities for responding to home and overseas emergencies, co-ordinating the Government's response (military, economic and diplomatic) to crises overseas.
It plays a central role in crisis management, by bringing together officials from key Departments to co-ordinate the United Kingdom's political, military and economic response to crises. It also conducts two major exercises each year to test both national and Departmental crisis management plans, procedures and facilities.
Reporting Hierarchy
The Defence and Overseas Secretariat sits within the Cabinet Office
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