National Security Council

The National Security Council (NSC) is the main forum for collective discussion of the government’s objectives for national security and about how best to deliver them in the current financial climate.

A key purpose of the Council is to ensure that ministers consider national security in the round and in a strategic way. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Structure of the NSC

The membership of the National Security Council is its Sub-Committees is available here: List of Cabinet Committees. 

The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by the National Security Adviser. Other ministers attend as required (ie depending on what topic the Council is discussing). The Chief of the Defence Staff and Heads of Intelligence Agencies also attend when required.