Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

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UK government fund for addressing conflict and instability overseas, with intelligence oversight

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
Type Government fund
Founded
Founder(s)
Dissolved 1 April 2024
Registration ID
Status
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Location
Area served
Services
Registration
Key people
Website
Remarks


The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) was a cross-government fund established by the British Government on 1 April 2015 to address conflict, instability and threats to UK national security overseas.[1] It integrated resources from defence, diplomacy, development assistance, security and intelligence to support the UK's National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review.[2] The CSSF was overseen by the National Security Council and had strong links to British intelligence agencies, including MI6, facilitating the direction of funding towards intelligence-related activities.[3] Approximately half of its budget was classified as official development assistance (ODA).[4]

The fund replaced the earlier Conflict (Prevention) Pool and represented a significant increase in resources for cross-departmental efforts, with an annual budget exceeding £1 billion.[5] It funded activities such as human rights training, strengthening local police and judiciaries, and facilitating political reconciliation, often through third parties.[6] Critics argued that the CSSF was utilised for regime change operations, particularly in Syria, and for extending intelligence influence across government departments in alignment with the Fusion Doctrine.[7][8] On 1 April 2024, the CSSF was renamed the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), incorporating additional elements such as the National Cyber Programme and the Economic Deterrence Initiative.[9]

The CSSF's integration of intelligence capabilities allowed for the funding of disinformation countermeasures and internal government units, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.[10] Its role in spreading intelligence influence was enhanced by the Fusion Doctrine, introduced in 2018, which promoted a whole-of-government approach to national security.[11]

Governance and purpose

The CSSF was governed by the National Security Council (NSC), a shift from the joint control of the previous Conflict Pool by the Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence, and Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[2] The National Security Adviser served as the Senior Responsible Officer, with the Deputy National Security Adviser playing a key role in intelligence, defence and security matters.[3][12] This structure embedded intelligence oversight deeply within the fund's operations, allowing agencies like MI6 to influence funding allocations.[3]

The fund supported the UK's Building Stability Overseas Strategy, focusing on preventing conflict in vulnerable regions and tackling threats to British interests.[2] Priorities were set by the NSC to leverage synergies across defence, diplomacy, development, security and intelligence.[13] It funded a range of activities, including direct interventions and third-party support for post-conflict reconciliation.

History

Upon creation, £823 million of the CSSF's £1,033 million budget was transferred from the Department for International Development, with administration split between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (£739 million) and Ministry of Defence (£42 million).[14][15] The 2015 UK Aid policy planned an increase to £1.3 billion by 2019/20.[16] This marked a substantial expansion from the Conflict Pool's £180 million in 2014/15.[17][18]

In 2016, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, then National Security Adviser, identified major expenditures in Afghanistan (£90 million), Syria (£60 million) and Somalia (£32 million), with projects in over 40 countries.[19] Significant funding supported operations in Syria, including strategic communications for the moderate armed opposition.[5][20][8] The Stabilisation Unit was funded by the CSSF.[21]

The 2017 annual report under Sir Mark Sedwill highlighted top programmes: Afghanistan (£90 million), Syria (£64 million), Somalia (£33.5 million), Jordan (£25.3 million) and Lebanon (£24 million), much related to Syrian refugees.[6] By 2020/21, the budget reached £1.37 billion, with major allocations to peacekeeping (£388 million), Middle East and North Africa (£183 million), South Asia (£103 million) and MOD Afghan Security (£100 million).[22]

In April 2024, the CSSF transitioned to the Integrated Security Fund, expanding its remit to include domestic and cyber elements.[9]

Intelligence links and the Fusion Doctrine

The CSSF's governance by the NSC and the National Security Adviser embedded it within the UK's intelligence framework. The Deputy National Security Adviser oversaw intelligence-related aspects, including threats from state actors.[12][23] Funding supported MI6 operations, with expenditures including CSSF allocations for intelligence activities.[3]

The 2018 introduction of the Fusion Doctrine enhanced the CSSF's role in spreading intelligence influence across government. This doctrine promoted integration of economic, security and influence levers, aligning with CSSF's cross-departmental model.[11][24] It facilitated intelligence-led funding for whole-of-government responses to threats, including disinformation and cyber activities.[25]

Funding of internal government units on disinformation

The CSSF funded internal units and programmes combating disinformation, such as the National Security Communications Team and the Counter Disinformation and Media Development Programme.[26] Over £82.7 million was invested in media projects around Russia to counter disinformation, often presented as building media resilience but involving UK information operations.[26] In Ukraine, CSSF supported cyber defences and counter-disinformation efforts against Russian narratives.[27] Programmes adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to track and counter state-sponsored disinformation on vaccines.[28] This funding extended intelligence influence into domestic and foreign policy arenas.

Regime change activities

The CSSF has been criticised for supporting regime change, particularly in Syria, where it allocated over £350 million to opposition forces and projects in rebel-held areas.[7] Funding included support for the Free Syrian Army press office, described as a propaganda effort, and organisations like the White Helmets and Incostrat.[8] These activities aimed at undermining the Assad regime, facilitating political reconciliation and media operations for moderate opposition.[29] While the government framed this as stabilisation and civilian protection, critics viewed it as covert regime change operations aligned with NSC priorities.[30] Evaluations suggest these efforts contributed to the eventual fall of Assad in 2024, though outcomes remain contested amid ongoing instability.[31]

2017 Committee on the National Security Strategy inquiry

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy launched an inquiry in May 2016.[32] Lord McConnell criticised the lack of an updated strategy since 2011.[4] The committee sought spending details from Sir Mark Lyall Grant, amid concerns over aid diversion to defence objectives.[33][34][35][36]

The February 2017 report highlighted opacity in objectives and achievements, with limited disclosure of projects due to security reasons. It criticised the fund as a potential 'slush fund' and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's procurement and conflict understanding. The committee recommended a single Cabinet Office minister oversee spending.[37][38][39]

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact initiated a review in 2017, with a final report in Spring 2018.[40]

Recipients

See also

Integrated Security Fund National Security Council (United Kingdom) Fusion Doctrine Secret Intelligence Service

Spending

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ UK Parliament, Conflict Stability and Security Fund Settlement, Financial Year 2015-16 : Written statement - HCWS392, 12 March 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Conciliation Resources, Investing in long-term peace? The new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, 1 September 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament Annual Report 2022–2023, 5 December 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 UK Parliament, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, House of Lords Hansard, Column 708, 2 November 2016.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ben Gummer, Conflict Stability and Security Fund 2015 /16 and settlement for 2016 /17 : Written statement - HCWS123 UK Parliament, 21 July 2016.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 UK Government, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Annual Report 2017 to 2018, July 2018.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Declassified UK, Revealed: The UK has spent £350-million promoting regime change in Syria, 20 July 2021.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ian Cobain, Alice Ross, Rob Evans and Mona Mahmood, How Britain funds the 'propaganda war' against Isis in Syria The Guardian, 3 May 2016.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 UK Government, About us - UK Integrated Security Fund, accessed 14 February 2026.
  10. ↑ Independent Commission for Aid Impact, The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund's (CSSF) aid spending, accessed 14 February 2026.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 UK Government, National Security Capability Review – March 2018, March 2018.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 UK Parliament Committees, I am Deputy National Security Adviser., 14 July 2025.
  13. ↑ UK Government, Stabilisation Unit Business Plan gov.uk, 25 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Lorna Booth, Spending Review 2015: the future of overseas aid UK Parliament House of Commons Library, 23 November 2015.
  15. ↑ Department for International Development, Main Estimate 2015/16 UK Parliament, 2015.
  16. ↑ HM Treasury, UK aid: tackling global challenges in the national interest, Cm 9163, November 2015.
  17. ↑ Independent Commission for Aid Impact, Evaluation of the Inter-Departmental Conflict Pool, 13 July 2012.
  18. ↑ Diane Abbott, The stealth aid raid: militarising Britain's development budget Thomson Reuters Foundation News, 29 February 2016.
  19. ↑ UK Parliament, Oral evidence: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, HC 208, 28 November 2016.
  20. ↑ Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Providing non-humanitarian assistance in Syria, 1 December 2015.
  21. ↑ UK Government, Stabilisation Unit - About us, accessed 5 December 2016.
  22. ↑ Penny Mordaunt, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Allocations 2020-21 UK Parliament House of Commons, 28 January 2021.
  23. ↑ Sky News, Deputy national security adviser's statements brought China spying case to a 'crashing halt', accessed 14 February 2026.
  24. ↑ RUSI, The UK National Security Capability Review and the Fusion Doctrine, 4 April 2018.
  25. ↑ UK Government, Defence guidance for integrated working, 13 June 2023.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Declassified UK, UK spends over £80m on media in 20 countries around Russia, 8 February 2022.
  27. ↑ ADS Advance, UK Government CSSF investment boosts global security, 19 January 2024.
  28. ↑ UK Government, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Annual Report 2020 to 2021, 2021.
  29. ↑ Avalon Library, CSSF: SUPPORT TO MODERATE ARMED OPPOSITION, 10 June 2016.
  30. ↑ US Congress, Syria: Regime Change, Transition, and U.S. Policy, 13 December 2024.
  31. ↑ The White House, Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions, 30 June 2025.
  32. ↑ UK Parliament, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund inquiry launched, 26 May 2016.
  33. ↑ Ben Quinn and Karen McVeigh, Plan to align UK aid with trade policy could sideline poor countries The Guardian, 1 December 2016.
  34. ↑ John Mcdermott and Jim Pickard, Cash-strapped UK departments circle aid budget ahead of cuts Financial Times, 20 November 2015.
  35. ↑ Ben Quinn, More than a quarter of UK aid budget to fall prey to rival ministries by 2020 The Guardian, 24 September 2016.
  36. ↑ Alex Scrivener, Do we really want the military spending our aid budget? The Guardian, 25 November 2016.
  37. ↑ Karen McVeigh, Secrecy around £1bn aid and security fund raises 'significant concern', say MPs The Guardian, 7 February 2017.
  38. ↑ Henry Mance, UK antiwar project labelled a £1bn 'slush fund' by MPs Financial Times, 7 February 2017.
  39. ↑ Alan Travis, Amber Rudd asked to reveal where secret £1bn conflict fund is spent The Guardian, 6 March 2017.
  40. ↑ Independent Commission for Aid Impact, Upcoming reviews - The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, 2017.
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