A cross-party House of Lords committee has called for a radical overhaul of the UK's approach to national resilience, urging the government to adopt a Nordic-style model of emergency preparedness. The committee, chaired by Crossbench peer Jean Coussins, warns that the UK remains dangerously exposed to external shocks, including cyber-attacks, extreme weather from climate change, and hostile state interference.
Interconnected Threats
The committee's inquiry highlights the interconnected nature of modern threats. A single cyber-attack can quickly escalate into power cuts, transport chaos, supply chain disruptions, and the collapse of public services. Coussins emphasized that hybrid warfare from Russia, China, or Iran—via cyber-attacks, disinformation, or proxy terrorist attacks—is already commonplace, not a hypothetical scenario.
Current Preparedness Gaps
If the UK faced an armed attack, preparedness would appear threadbare, not only in military terms but also in the whole-of-society approach to resilience. The public expects threats to become more frequent, yet many lack clear, trusted guidance on practical steps to take. The committee's evidence suggests that people want to be better prepared but do not know where to find reliable information.
Nordic Model as Inspiration
Ambassadors from Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have shared how their countries routinely prepare every citizen for emergencies. Governments communicate candidly about risks, and the public response has been reassurance, not alarm. Important information is distributed to every household and business, helping maintain supply chains and financial stability.
A Call for Mindset Change
The committee's work aims to achieve a similar radical change in mindset, where preparedness and resilience are normalized into everyday life. Coussins noted that the old mantra of 'keep calm and carry on' is insufficient for the 21st century. A new plan must recognize the interconnectedness of threats and engage the public actively in national resilience efforts.
