UK Launches 95-Risk Emergency Drive, Plans Biggest Home Defence Exercise in Decades
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 14
UK Launches 95-Risk Emergency Drive, Plans Biggest Home Defence Exercise in Decades
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 14
Summary
Later this year, the UK will start a public campaign urging households to take practical steps for disruptions such as food or water shortages caused by cyber-attacks or severe weather.
Seven new threats were added to the national risk register, bringing the total to 95, including cyber-attacks on water infrastructure and “digital resilience failure” like the CrowdStrike outage that hit more than 8 million computers.
Next year’s multi-day Operation Albiston Shadow will test Britain’s response to hybrid attacks, while classified “war books” are being revised for the first time since 2004.
The update drops disruption to Russian gas supplies from the register, reflecting lower UK reliance, while ministers say record heat, AI-enabled cybercrime and recent global shocks have intensified resilience planning.
As the UK urges citizens to stockpile supplies, is national resilience now becoming a personal responsibility?
When a single tech glitch can cripple nations, how can any government truly safeguard its critical infrastructure?
Strengthening UK Resilience in 2026: Operation Albiston Shadow, National Risk Register, and Whole-of-Society Preparedness
Overview
In 2026, the UK government launched a major national resilience campaign to address a rapidly changing and dangerous global landscape, marked by new conflicts, cyber incidents, and severe weather. The campaign encourages individuals and households to take simple steps to prepare for disruptions like power or water loss, helping ensure personal safety and allowing emergency services to focus on the most vulnerable. Alongside this, the government is accelerating its Home Defence Programme, 'Operation Albiston Shadow,' to strengthen national security and resilience by uniting military and civilian efforts, reflecting a whole-of-society approach to facing modern risks.