Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cyber-attacks: Global Response

Tuesday 20 January 2026 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Uma Kumaran highlighted the success of international collaboration in combating Russia-backed cyber-crime networks.
  • Jim Shannon praised Northern Ireland's leadership in cyber-security and noted the constant advancement of technology.
  • Mr Andrew Snowden questioned the Government on plans to use cyber-capabilities against Iran, citing its threat to democracies and its own people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Uma Kumaran Lab Stratford and Bow
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

Following the successful international collaboration that dismantled the Russia-backed Lockbit network in 2024, Uma Kumaran emphasizes the importance of continuing such cooperation.

Question

The Minister will remember that when the Russia-backed cyber-crime network Lockbit was smashed in 2024, it was the direct result of intensive collaboration between the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. They worked together to defend Europe from Russia’s hybrid attacks, which seek to weaken our role in the world. Is that not a reminder that we are all safer, on both sides of the Atlantic, when we work together, and that we should never forget where the real threats to our national security come from?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend’s remarks. Indeed, they echo what we heard this morning from the Speaker of the US House of Representatives about working together as close allies and across NATO. It is good to welcome guests in Parliament today from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, too. My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. As is evidenced by the 2024 Lockbit and 2025 Media Land sanctions packages, the UK works closely with key partners, and remains committed to using all available tools to defend against cyber-threats.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Science & Technology
Context

Acknowledging the leading role of Northern Ireland in cyber-security, Jim Shannon seeks assurances that technological advancements will keep pace with threats.

Question

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive responses. On ransomware and what we are trying to do with technology, Northern Ireland leads the way on cyber-security, as does south-east England, but the technology is always advancing. The Minister has responsibility for ensuring that we are protected, but at the same time, we need to ensure that our technology moves forward, so that we can equal or outdo our enemies. Can the Minister give us an assurance that that will happen, and that Northern Ireland will be part of it?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The hon. Member rightly extols the virtues and skills of the excellent workforce in Northern Ireland and across the UK on these issues. I have had the pleasure of meeting people from a number of cyber-security companies. We are doing all that we can to increase the skills chain, and to ensure that we stay steps ahead of our adversaries. We will not tolerate activity that hits consumers and individuals in the UK and risks our national security. We will work with others to defend this country.

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Q3 Andrew Snowden Con Fylde
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerned about Iran's use of digital warfare, Mr. Snowden asks if the government has specific plans to counter Tehran’s cyber-capabilities.

Question

Iran is a cyber-menace that is committing digital warfare against democracies around the world and its own people. Most recently, it has cut its own citizens off from the internet to hide the scale of its atrocities. Do the Government have any plans to use their cyber-capabilities to take on Tehran in its moment of weakness, and how they will prevent Tehran from evading tariffs by using cryptocurrency?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It was perhaps an unexpected elevation, but I welcome the shadow Minister to his new role, and thank him for his important question on a very serious matter: the threat from our adversaries. He is right to point out Iran, but there are many others who are attempting to damage our national security and hit consumers and individuals in the UK. He will understand that I will not go into operational details on any matter relating to our cyber-defences, but he can be assured that we keep the activities of our adversaries closely in mind, and we are doing all we can to defend this country against all threats, wherever they come from.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific operational details on counter-measures against Iran's cyber-attacks

How: Will Not Go Into Operational Details

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