Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber-security

Thursday 5 June 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met with the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre to discuss recent cyber-attacks.
  • National Cyber Security Centre investigates attacks, identifies perpetrators, and assists affected organizations.
  • The Centre offers advice, guidance, and tools like Cyber Essentials to help businesses prepare for cyber-attacks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Daniel Francis Lab Bexleyheath and Crayford
Context

Recent cyber-attacks on retailers like Marks & Spencer and Government services such as the Legal Aid Agency have raised concerns about national resilience against cyber threats.

Question

In recent weeks, we have seen a series of cyber-attacks on retailers, including on my former employer, Marks & Spencer, and on Government services such as the Legal Aid Agency. Will the Minister update the House on what discussions he has had with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and others to ensure that these incidents are dealt with as swiftly as possible and that more is done to prevent such attacks succeeding in the future?

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

Earlier this week, I met the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, which works with impacted organisations to investigate what has happened and who is responsible and to help them rebuild. It has been working with all the organisations that have been hit by recent cyber-attacks. I also made a speech about these issues at the CYBERUK conference in Manchester a few weeks ago.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on specific discussions and prevention measures not provided

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Q2 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Energy Business & Trade
Context

Recent attacks on private institutions have highlighted the need for national resilience in dealing with cyber-attacks.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. As has been mentioned, we have recently seen attacks against private institutions, with groups such as Marks & Spencer being targeted. I would be very interested to learn about the approach that has been taken by the statutory organisations and those in the military sphere, but I would like to know what efforts have been made to protect private businesses from cyber-attacks and to ensure that my constituents in Mid Dunbartonshire and people across the UK have access to their daily essentials.

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

The hon. Member is absolutely right. The National Cyber Security Centre offers advice, guidance and tools such as Cyber Essentials to businesses to help them prepare as best they can for attacks. Unfortunately, organised crime carries out some of these attacks, and the extortion of money is often at their root. It is really important that Government, business and individuals prepare as best we can to act against the bad actors who are trying to explore cyber-vulnerabilities and often, as I said, extort money.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on specific statutory organisations and military involvement not provided

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