Key facts
- The UK public is urged to take steps to secure water, power, and phone signal in preparation for crises.
- New threats added to the national risk register include foreign interference, cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, and digital resilience failures.
- The government will launch a public awareness campaign to help citizens prepare for emergencies.
- Britain will conduct a large-scale "national home defence exercise" in 2027 to test preparedness for hybrid attacks.
The British public has been advised by Downing Street to take 'small but important steps' to prepare for potential national crises, including severe weather, cyber-attacks, and foreign interference. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, emphasized the underestimated risks from climate change and the potential for significant disruption to essential services.
Jones warned that the combination of advanced artificial intelligence and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine could empower criminals to launch hostile cyber-attacks against businesses and critical infrastructure. Consequently, the UK's national risk register has been updated to include seven new potential crises. These encompass foreign interference in UK democracy, cyber-attacks targeting data, water, and police systems, and a 'digital resilience failure' scenario, inspired by the 2024 CrowdStrike disruption.
Ministers had previously been alerted in May about the unpreparedness of Britain's supply chains for major shocks, such as a war with Russia, and the need for robust 'worst-case scenario' planning. Research by the National Preparedness Commission indicated that the UK lags behind other European nations in stockpiling essential supplies like critical medicines. Scientists have also pointed to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and intensive agriculture, as drivers of extreme heat, with data suggesting a recent heatwave caused approximately 440 deaths per day at its peak.
Jones stated that the UK has a history of overcoming challenges and that continuous evaluation of risks and planning is necessary. He noted the record-breaking temperatures in May and June and the dual nature of AI, offering both economic opportunities and new avenues for cyber-attacks. A national public awareness campaign is planned to guide individuals on preparing for emergencies affecting power, water, phone signal, and access to local shops.
In 2027, the UK will host its largest "national home defence exercise" to date, involving hundreds of officials in wargaming scenarios for hybrid attacks. Armed forces minister Louise Sandher-Jones affirmed that Russia poses a direct threat to the UK homeland, and these exercises, along with updating 'war books,' are crucial for preparedness and demonstrating the seriousness with which the government is addressing these threats.