House of Commons · Westminster Hall
07 January 2025 · 4 other contributors · 3,710 words
Opened by Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Responding minister: Ms Abena Oppong-Asare
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Richard Foord raised concerns about national resilience and preparedness in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I want to focus on three areas: future pandemics, food security and hybrid threats. The Government should act swiftly to implement the inquiry’s recommendations and engage with international frameworks such as the World Health Organisation treaty.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The covid-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in the planning and preparedness for large-scale emergencies. Over 200,000 excess deaths have been attributed to the pandemic in the UK, many of which may have been preventable with better planning and resilience.
Suggested mandating battery back-ups for mobile phone masts to ensure uninterrupted communication access in rural areas, highlighting the need for robust critical infrastructure support. Discussed the need for robust strategies to address daily threats and resilience issues.
The MP emphasised the importance of climate resilience and action to address national security concerns related to food production and extreme weather conditions. Contributed valuable perspectives on enhancing national preparedness against hybrid threats.
Committed to efficient contingency plans across the United Kingdom for national crises, urging more engagement with devolved institutions and local councils. Contributed important interventions regarding resilience and emergency preparedness.
Called for a comprehensive national food strategy to tackle rising food prices, end food poverty, ensure food security, and improve health and nutrition. Emphasized the need for more powers for the Groceries Code Adjudicator. Provided important insights into the issues of national resilience and hybrid threats.
Government Response
Ms Abena Oppong-AsareThe Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Since coming into office, we have taken immediate steps to strengthen national resilience by establishing a dedicated sub-committee of the National Security Council on resilience. We are looking at how we can improve our approach to national risk assessment and designing a national exercising programme. The Government has also adopted the 2023 biological security strategy in full. I will hold parliamentary drop-in sessions this month, inviting Members of both Houses to discuss the review progress and gather views on where our approach to resilience could be bolstered.