I wish to update the House on the launch of the UK Integrated Security Fund (ISF) announced in the Integrated Review Refresh (IRR) by the Prime Minister on 12 March 2023. The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) will succeed the existing Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) in April 2024.

The ISF is a cross-Government fund developed to tackle the highest- priority threats to UK national security at home and overseas. The ISF will use Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA funding to enable the delivery of National Security Council priorities. It will take an integrated, agile, catalytic, and high-risk approach to find solutions to the most complex national security challenges outlined in the IRR 2023.

Through integrating domestic and overseas national security programming, it will aim to have real-world strategic impact, bring value for taxpayers’ money, and demonstrate UK innovation.

The ISF will build on the important work supported by the CSSF. New areas of ISF programming will reflect the priorities set out in the IRR and will add additional priorities, including maritime security, economic sanctions and emerging and disruptive technology such as AI and quantum computing. The ISF has allocated almost £1bn for FY 24/25 bringing some existing economic deterrence and cyber programmes into the single fund. In FY 22/23, the CSSF invested £830m as set out in the CSSF Annual Report FY 22/23.

The report demonstrates how CSSF programmes have delivered clear results. In the Lake Chad Basin region in West Africa data collection, analysis and coordination between the military and police improved the response to the threat from Improvised Explosive Devices to local communities. Violent extremist groups operating globally pose a threat to the UK and to our allies. To counter the increase in the threat of Turkish manufactured converted blank-firing weapons on UK streets, CSSF programmes invested in capacity building and advice resulting in changes to firearms legislation in Turkey. This resulted in a drop in the sales of blank firearms in Turkey and a decrease in imports of blank firearms into the UK.

These examples highlight the Fund’s tangible contribution to enhance UK national security through integrated programmes across 12 government departments and agencies, with a presence in over 90 countries and territories.