The UK is working closely with the United States and the Afghan Government to secure, rebuild and develop a country emerging from a quarter century of conflict. Together with the US and Afghan Governments, the UK Government is on the ground supporting Afghanistan's security, reconstruction, good-governance and counter-narcotics work.

Over the past six years, the UK military has made substantial contributions to securing Afghanistan and its people against the Taliban and other insurgent forces. The British military has committed nearly 9,000 troops in Afghanistan. The UK military has concentrated its troops in the southern regions of the country and is currently working with the US and other NATO-member forces to lead provincial reconstruction teams in the south.

The UK's military deployment has mainly been in Helmand where its operations are designed to root out Taliban insurgents and train the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police. These operations are essential before provincial reconstruction teams can work with the local government to facilitate reconstruction and extend power back to Afghanistan's government authorities. From 2006-2007, the UK spent more than £700 million in military operations in Afghanistan. Many of these operations have helped the UK and its allies train the Aghan National Army and Police. Since June 2009, 90,000 personnel of the ANA and 80,000 Afghan Police have been trained by the international forces, which include UK troops.

In non-military donor assistance, the UK has contributed a significant amount of funds for development in Afghanistan. The UK is the second largest bilateral aid donor to Afghanistan and has spent almost £885 million in humanitarian, reconstruction and development assistance since 2001.  As part of the international development effort, the UK has helped the Afghan Government bring basic healthcare access to 82% of the population and increase the number of children in schools from one million in 2001 to over six million today.

As Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear in statement to Parliament after his December 2007 visit to the country, the United Kingdom "will continue to meet our obligations, honour our commitments, and discharge our duties to this task and to the people of Afghanistan."