The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy has highlighted areas needing improvement in national security, including critical infrastructure protection and defence against hybrid warfare. The debate addresses the need for increased spending on resilience to counter threats from hostile state actors, organised proxy groups, and radicalised individuals. The UK economy was severely impacted by a cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover, costing £2.5 billion. The Government's commitment to spend 1.5% of GDP on security and resilience by 2035 is noted but questioned for lack of specificity in spending details.

Acknowledges the impact of Russian hybrid warfare, linking it to disinformation campaigns and specific cyber-attacks like the one against Jaguar Land Rover. Emphasises the need for a clear budget allocation towards national security.

Stresses the importance of advanced drone technology in enhancing resilience and safety, suggesting that Britain should be at the forefront to protect its people effectively.

Supports procurement reforms made by the Cabinet Office as a significant step towards benefiting British industry through sovereign investment policies like 'Canada Strong'.

Reiterates the importance of public understanding about defending national infrastructure and industries, using Canada's approach as an example to promote economic security as part of national defence.

Appreciates Matt Western’s leadership on the Joint Committee for the National Security Strategy and emphasises the need for better public awareness about the actual hybrid threats facing Britain, necessitating a whole-society conversation to address security issues comprehensively.

The hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington made many excellent points, particularly regarding the wide range of threats to our security and resilience including cyber-warfare, disinformation, and the impact of climate breakdown. Climate breakdown poses a clear threat to national security as highlighted by the Joint Intelligence and Security Committee’s national security assessment. The effects of extreme weather such as heatwaves are already affecting health services with unprecedented call-outs for ambulances and schools facing operational difficulties due to high temperatures. She called on the Government to recognise climate resilience as a central plank of any strategy to protect national security and resilience, requiring cross-Government action rather than being siloed in one Department. The Committee on Climate Change has repeatedly stated that there are solutions available but that costs of inaction far outweigh those of action.

His contribution is not provided in the given text.

Calls on the Government to fully accept Tom Hayhoe's recommendations, including having a challenge champion in crisis situations, ensuring small companies publish profit-and-loss accounts, stronger measures when ministers issue directions, and clearer central oversight of spending by local bodies. Commends the Public Sector Fraud Authority for its work and reports savings of £7.53 billion from counter-fraud activity last year. Supports establishing a central Government database to strengthen fraud detection and prevention, alongside enhanced mitigation measures and greater transparency.

She emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to national security, beyond just military defence. She highlighted instances of foreign espionage and interference, including attempts on the Prime Minister’s car and home, as well as arrests related to intelligence agencies. She called for increased public awareness about their role in keeping Britain safe. She also questioned whether recent increases in security spending were due to actual new investments or reclassification within the Cabinet Office.

The debate is timely and raises concerns about the Government’s failings in national security. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy reports an increasing anxiety over Britain’s security due to underfunding of defence and a lack of commitment from the Treasury, which has been described as 'vandalism.' Former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned because the defence investment plan did not give armed forces the necessary resources, while the current spending levels have left the UK second-to-last among NATO members in terms of rearmament efforts. The Government's failure to meet national security commitments is evident in cyber-security, undersea cables protection, biosecurity planning, and critical infrastructure resilience. There has been a significant cut in funding for the National Security Secretariat, which has nearly halved from £34.4 million last year to £18.9 million this year. The Government’s promises on increasing integrated security fund and counter-terrorism funding remain unfulfilled. Additionally, there is no plan or funding to protect undersea cables, despite warnings about potential hostile state targeting of these critical data carriers. Similarly, the promised biological emergency plans and national biosecurity centres have not materialised as committed. The need for whole-of-society resilience has been highlighted, but the Government's failure to appoint a chief resilience officer demonstrates their inadequacy in coordinating efforts across various sectors.

Responds to Alicia Kearns' speech by suggesting that either John Healey or Dan Jarvis would be more suitable future Secretary-General of NATO compared to the current Prime Minister, who is facing criticism for underfunding defence policies.

Mrs. Angela Eagle congratulated Matt Western on securing the debate and outlined the Government's national security strategy and resilience spending plans, emphasising the importance of inter-departmental collaboration and modernizing defence capabilities.

Mr. Andrew Snowden questioned the Minister about critical industries in our defence plans and expressed dismay over the lack of orders for fighter aircraft production lines from the Government.

Ms. Ellie Chowns pointed out that climate change is not a natural hazard but a human-made major risk and emphasised the need for a whole-of-Government approach to address climate resilience.

Ms. Alicia Kearns noted that since 2013, climate change has been included in national security planning and response strategies within the Cabinet Office.