Forum focuses on bolstering UK’s future resilience

The UK Resilience Forum (UKRF) met on Tuesday 3 May, bringing together stakeholders from across the private, public and voluntary sectors, as well as our emergency services, to work together on bolstering the UK’s resilience.

Chaired by Lead Minister for Resilience and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Rt Hon. Michael Ellis QC MP, the Forum was established in July to strengthen the country’s resilience by improving communication and collaboration on risk, emergency preparedness, crisis response and recovery.

Its membership builds on those with duties under the Civil Contingencies Act. It includes national, regional and local government, private and voluntary sectors, emergency services and utilities. There are also representatives who join as voices for communities and people impacted by emergencies, including Citizens Advice, National Emergencies Trust, and the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership.

Members were notified that the Civil Contingencies Act post-implementation Review was published on 1 April, which provides a framework for emergency preparedness in the UK and acts as a critical building block to make the UK as resilient as possible. Also, that the Biological Security Strategy Call for Evidence had been completed.

Lead Minister for Resilience and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Rt Hon. Michael Ellis QC MP, said:

Continuing to bolster the UK’s resilience from domestic and global threats is vital. The UK Resilience Forum provides space for a range of crucial organisations and partners to provide insight so we can ensure our emergency preparedness remains effective and aligned.

We continue to identify key challenges on the horizon to effectively pivot resources in tackling risks, and to prioritise preparedness accordingly, working collaboratively to protect the UK.

Assistant Chief Constable at the National Police Chief’s Council, Owen Weatherill, commented:

Effective partnership working across agencies is vital to ensuring that we keep our communities safe. The Forum is therefore a welcome and critical structure, which allows key stakeholders to better plan and prepare. Importantly, provides a way of sharing sector experience and learning with government so we can work together on how best to deliver more effective joint agency responses in the future.

The UKRF will meet every six months.

As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to transparency, a note of each UKRF meeting will be published.