New National Security Council established

David Cameron talks with British soldiers during a visit to Afghanistan

The inaugural meeting of a National Security Council, which will discuss the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron today, Wednesday 12 May 2010.

The National Security Council (NSC) being established by the Prime Minister will oversee all aspects of Britain's security and the council will also be reviewing the terrorist threat to the UK at its inaugural meeting this afternoon.

The Prime Minister has appointed Sir Peter Ricketts (Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) as his National Security Advisor, a new role based in the Cabinet Office.

Sir Peter will establish the new National Security Council structures, and co-ordinate and deliver the Government's international security agenda.

The council will co-ordinate responses to the dangers the UK faces, integrating at the highest level the work of the Foreign, Defence, Home, Energy and International Development Departments, and all other arms of government contributing to national security.

The council will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Permanent members will be the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for International Development and the Security Minister.

Other Cabinet Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, will attend as required. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Heads of Intelligence Agencies and other senior officials will also attend as required.