Description
This roundtable discusses the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and its implications for UK Space, reflecting the panelists’ recommendations to the SDR and reflecting on the outcomes announced in 2025. On 16 July 2024, the new Labour Government announced a Strategic Defence Review focused on determining the roles, capabilities, and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The review aims to ensure that Defence is affordable within the resources available and aligned with the trajectory toward 2.5% of GDP. Additionally, it seeks to position Defence as central to the security, economic growth, and prosperity of the UK. Leading up to the evidence submission, there was uncertainty regarding the Starmer government's enthusiasm for space and its support for developing the National Space Strategy. Will this new government take a definitive position on space? If not, how can public policy issues concerning emerging threats be addressed within the constraints of the budget? given the UK's historical mix of pragmatism and skepticism toward space? What is the impact of the SDR on the UK role in space going forward?
