Chapter 2 – The UK: Strong, Influential, Global 13 Chapter 2 – The UK: Strong, Influential, Global The UK: strong, influential, global 2.1 The UK plays a strong, positive global role. We project our power, influence and values to help shape a secure, prosperous future for the UK and to build wider security, stability and prosperity. We have unique strengths that enable us to do this. 2.2 We have one of the fastest-growing developed economies. The World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report assesses the UK to be in the top ten for competitiveness. The UK is the number one destination in Europe for inward investment. We are ranked by the World Bank as the sixth easiest place in the world to do business. 2.3 This allows us to invest in defence and security. The UK’s defence budget is the second largest in NATO after the US, and the largest in the EU. 2.4 We have a strong, diverse and resilient society. At home, we are strengthening our domestic resilience, giving more power to local communities, investing in infrastructure across the UK, and delivering devolution so that we can focus on how powers are used to better the lives of the people of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a strong United Kingdom. 2.5 Our Armed Forces and security and intelligence agencies (the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service, and the Government Communications Headquarters) are respected around the world for their capability, agility, reach and ability to fight and work alongside our close allies. We took tough decisions to balance the defence budget in 2010, and are now in a position to invest in the highly deployable Armed Forces that we need to guarantee our security. Our law enforcement organisations and judicial system ensure the security and safety of our people, and are globally respected. 2.6 Our Diplomatic Service has a strong, global reputation and is one of the world’s most extensive, with our diplomatic network represented in over 85% of the world’s countries and missions to all major multilateral organisations. We use it to pursue an active foreign policy that protects our country, our people and our interests, supports the security of our allies, deters adversaries, projects our influence and values, promotes our prosperity, and strengthens the rules-based international order. 2.7 Our position as the world’s leading soft power gives us international influence. English is the global language, and our time zone allows us to connect with the Americas and Asia in the same working day.