After years of NSSIF operating largely from the shadows, the U.K. government is preparing to give a more prominent role to the fund — alongside a £330 million uplift to its financial firepower over four years. (NSSIF declined to comment when asked by POLITICO what its previous budget was. The figure is not publicly available.)

The first ever female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) has been announced by the Prime Minister today.

Blaise Metreweli CMG will be the 18th Chief in the organisation’s history and the first woman to hold the role, at a time when the United Kingdom faces increased threats from our adversaries.

Ex MI6 Chief speaks with the BBC on the future of UK defence. To here the news cast press click here.