Public Procurement: Protecting National Security and Strengthening Economic Resilience
House of Commons · Written Statements · 22 Jun 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
On 19 June the Government announced the publication of new policy guidance to protect the UK’s national security through public procurement. In March, I announced plans to ensure Government Departments make use of the national security exemption in the Procurement Act 2023, where lawful and appropriate, to ensure procurement protects our national interest. Today, we move from policy intent to delivery. This new guidance targets four critical sectors where global shocks can directly threaten national security: steel, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, and energy infrastructure. At a time when our national security and economic security are inextricably linked, true resilience requires supporting critical sectors and securing supply chains so they can be relied upon during times of crisis. This means understanding that foundational assets like steel and shipbuilding are critical capabilities essential to the UK’s national security, and treating them as such. It also means recognising that emerging essential assets like artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure must not be left vulnerable to supply chain disruption. For far too long, public procurement has been too narrowly focused on short-term requirements and with too little regard to long-term resilience and national and economic security. This has, over time, eroded our national capability, exposing the UK to increasing national security risks. To fix this, HM Treasury is updating guidance to accounting...