Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber Security

Thursday 23 January 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Dr Allison Gardner inquired about plans to close the skills gap in cyber security through collaboration with organizations like Code First Girls.
  • Kevin Bonavia highlighted over 150 cyber-incidents reported by the local government sector between July 2023 and 2024, with an average ransomware attack recovery cost exceeding 2.2 million.
  • Max Wilkinson praised the engagement of ministers with Cheltenham's cyber-security industry, emphasizing the benefits of co-location of private and public sectors.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the importance of closing the skills gap in the Government and defence sectors to combat emerging threats. The MP highlights the need for an inclusive workforce.

Question

Given the critical importance of closing the skills gap across the Government and defence sectors to safeguard against emerging threats in this digital age, what plans do the Government have to collaborate with organisations such as Code First Girls to develop a skilled and inclusive cyber-workforce?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

I welcome my hon. Friend’s question. The AI opportunities action plan gives us great opportunities and shows how seriously we take this matter. I know that organisations such as Code First Girls are doing important work providing free coding courses for women. It is really important in pursuing this plan that we have the skilled people to do it, so well done to Code First Girls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges the importance of skills but does not provide specific collaboration plans with organisations like Code First Girls.

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Q2 Kevin Bonavia Lab Stevenage
Policing & Resources Local Government
Context

The MP references statistics on the number of cyber-incidents reported by UK local government sectors and the average costs incurred from ransomware attacks. This highlights the financial burden on local authorities.

Question

Between July 2023 and 2024, over 150 cyber-incidents were reported by the local government sector in the UK. Last year, the average ransom demand from a ransomware attack was over £2.2 million. As the local government sector does not pay ransoms, the average cost to our councils of recovering from a ransomware attack is approximately £12 million. Will my right hon. Friend therefore make additional support available to local authorities to enhance their cyber-security and protect local services for constituents such as mine in Stevenage?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the threat to local authorities. This is a whole-system threat. In October, my colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government launched the cyber assessment framework for local government, which sets a clear standard for the sector. They provide monthly cyber clinics and support local authorities to improve collaboration, share intelligence and tackle common vulnerabilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address additional financial support but acknowledges ongoing initiatives to help local authorities.

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Q3 Max Wilkinson Lib Dem Cheltenham
Science & Technology
Context

The MP has repeatedly engaged with ministers regarding the opportunities for collaboration between the private and public sectors, especially given the presence of GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre.

Question

Ministers have been generous in engaging with my repeated requests for engagement with Cheltenham’s cyber-security industry, where GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre are located. The co-location of private and public sectors is beneficial for our cyber-security sector. The Golden Valley development offers an opportunity for more public sector officials to be placed alongside a key cluster. Would the Minister be interested in having a meeting about that?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

I congratulate the hon. Member for his relentlessness in raising those issues on behalf of his constituency. He is right to draw attention to the assets we have there—GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre—and I pay tribute to the officials working there. There is a benefit to clusters in people learning from one another and being close by, and it all helps contribute to our efforts in this area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address the interest in a meeting but acknowledges the benefits of co-location.

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Q4 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP highlights the National Cyber Security Centre's concerns about Russian actors attempting to interfere in the 2019 general election. This underscores the need for plans to address foreign influence on elections.

Question

Last year, the National Cyber Security Centre said that Government were almost certain that Russian actors had attempted to interfere in the 2019 general election. Trust in politics is at an all-time low; disinformation is rising; and following instances across the world of foreign interference in elections, it is essential that the Government make a plan to address this threat to democracy. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to safeguard democratic processes from external influences?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

The Liberal Democrat spokesperson makes some strong points. We have to take the protection of our democratic system and processes seriously. I outlined Russian activity in my speech to the NATO cyber-security conference a couple of months ago. We guard against it here and help other countries guard against it, too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific steps but acknowledges the seriousness of the issue.

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