UKspace has welcomed the Government’s announcement today that the National Space Council is now listed as one of the Cabinet Committees.
The National Space Council’s objective is to “consider issues concerning prosperity, diplomacy and national security in, through and from Space, as part of coordinating overall Government policy.” Its members are: Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair); Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and First Secretary of State (Deputy Chair); Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office; Secretary of State for Defence; Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
UKspace Chair, Graham Peters, said: “It’s great to see the National Space Council included in the updated list of Cabinet Committees published today. A more joined up approach across Government is essential for positioning the UK to establish new sovereign capabilities and ensure UK can grasp new international opportunities.”
Nick Shave, who takes over as Chair of UKspace on 1 July, added: “We look forward to working with the Chancellor of the Exchequer as the National Space Council Chair to drive forward the opportunity in the space sector as one of the Government’s six transformative technologies, and to capitalise on the UK’s world leading space capability to help grow the economy as we bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
UKspace President, Will Whitehorn, explained: “A fully functioning and coordinated National Space Council is crucial to the future of a healthy and vibrant space industry, and also for the UK to be a global space-faring nation, so we welcome this announcement from the Cabinet Office. It is good to see words being turned into action, as action is what is needed if the British economy is to thrive in a technologically advancing but politically dividing world.”