The UK government has updated its national resilience plans and is urging the public to take 'small but important steps' to prepare for potential food and water shortages. A new public awareness campaign is set to launch later this year, focusing on severe weather events and cyber attacks that could disrupt essential supplies.
Cabinet Office Minister calls for public preparedness
Cabinet Office Minister Darren Jones said: 'It is right that we consistently evaluate the risks we could face and plan for what may come. This year we saw temperatures across the UK breaking records in May, only to be exceeded again in June, and AI offers new ways for criminals to carry out cyber-attacks against us, as well as offering huge opportunities for our economy and security. The government will do all it can, and we are well prepared – but we can all play our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.'
National risk register highlights water supply threat
The UK has previously been warned about seven new risks, including the threat of a cyber attack on water infrastructure. The national risk register added these risks this year, with water supply being a major concern. A worst-case scenario in London could impact more than one million people. The register states: 'The reasonable worst‑case scenario assumes an advanced cyber actor infiltrates the OT systems of a water company. The attacker deploys malware that erases critical data and disables key components controlling essential operational functions. This results in the water company losing visibility and control of its systems, causing a major disruption to water supply and wastewater services for a large population.'
Food supply vulnerability
The UK imports over a third of its food, making food and water supply more vulnerable than in some other countries. The nationwide resilience plan aims to help Brits prepare for emergencies and disruption, whether related to food supply, water, weather, or worst-case scenarios.
