The British public has been urged to “actively prepare” for the possibility of war on UK soil.
The recently released National Security Strategy paints a grim picture of the future, calling for a World War 2-style spirit to face down increasing threats.
It highlights that managing nuclear weapons risks is now “more complex than it was even in the Cold War”. The strategy also points out that major powers such as China and Russia are vying for dominance in strategic areas including “outer space, cyberspace, the deep sea, and at the Arctic and Antarctic poles”.
Furthermore, the report raises concerns about hostile nations potentially collaborating with terrorist organisations and criminals to launch attacks in Britain. It explicitly states: “For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.”
Amidst warnings of hostile state activities on British soil, Keir Starmer has described the current era as one of “radical uncertainty”. Committed to bolstering national security, he has vowed to allocate 5% of GDP to this end within ten years – a commitment that the strategy will integrate civilian and military efforts “in a way not seen since 1945.”
The document concludes: “The years ahead will test the United Kingdom… The direction it takes – and the decisions we take – will reverberate through the decades.”
The warning comes amid concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions as the US and Israel exchange strikes with Tehran in the Middle East.
Iran launched missile strikes on US airbases in the Middle East on Monday in a retaliatory attack following Washington’s ‘bunker buster’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Late on Monday night, President Trump announced Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.
However, on Tuesday, Mr Trump raged at both countries, saying they “don’t know what the f*** they are doing” as he accused them both of breaking the agreement.
Speaking to MPs in the Commons, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden emphasised the need for the Government to be “clear-eyed and hard-edged”. Mr McFadden stated that ministers would focus on enhancing security domestically by fortifying borders and making the UK “more resilient to future threats”.
He suggested that more collaboration with international allies is necessary to safeguard collective security – particularly in the UK’s relations with major powers such as China. The strategy warned that “instances of China’s espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have increased in recent years”.
Mr McFadden also outlined the UK’s priority to rejuvenate its defence industries and build “advantages in new frontier technologies” like AI. “All of this will make us a stronger and more resilient country,” he concluded.