Nine major threats to UK security as PM issues plea as a terrorist attack on British soil is 'likely'
Nine major threats to UK security as PM issues plea as a terrorist attack on British soil is 'likely'
The Prime Minister's stark warning comes as the UK faces a 'growing' number of threats at home and abroad
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to the media after visiting the Netherlands marines training base, as part of the UK-Netherlands Joint Amphibious Force in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
(Image: AP )
The UK is set to significantly strengthen its security measures in response to the increasing risks of war, terrorism, cyber threats, and organised crime. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a comprehensive revamp of the nation's safety protocols due to the escalating dangers facing Britons both domestically and internationally.
This move follows MI5's warning that a terrorist attack on British soil is "likely," amidst ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, tensions in the Middle East involving Israel, and foreign cyber and espionage activities.
Unveiling the new strategy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked: "Russian aggression menaces our continent. Strategic competition is intensifying. Extremist ideologies are on the rise. Technology is transforming the nature of both war and domestic security. Hostile state activity takes place on British soil." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
He emphasised the need for adaptability and prompt action, stating: "It is an era of radical uncertainty, and we must navigate it with agility, speed and a clear-eyed sense of the national interest."
The policy document invokes the spirit of WWII, calling upon the British people to unite against these challenges, asserting: "The years ahead will test the UK... We will need agility and courage to succeed, but we should be optimistic.
"We remain a resolute country, rich in history, values and in our capabilities. But most of all, there is the determination of the British people themselves. After all, we do not need to look too far into our history for an example of a whole-of-society effort, motivated by a collective will to keep each other safe. We can mobilise that spirit again and use it both for our national security and the rebuilding of our country.", reports the Mirror.
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Here are the major threats, according to the new National Security Strategy:.
Nuclear war
It states that arms control measures have failed to halt nuclear proliferation - underscored by concerns that Iran was pursuing atomic bombs. And Russia could attack the UK as it seeks to expand militarily.
Atomic-armed China is also a growing threat to the west as it aligns with Russia, Iran and even North Korea.
It says: "The threat to the UK and our allies from nuclear weapons is once again growing. Tackling this challenge is likely to be more complex than it was even in the Cold War, with more states with more nuclear weapons, the further proliferation of nuclear and disruptive technology and the failure of international arms control arrangements to keep pace."
International war
The document cautions: "...adversaries are laying the foundations for future conflict, positioning themselves to move quickly to cause major disruption to our energy and or supply chains, to deter us from standing up to their aggression. For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario. The government warns that conflicts abroad between major states could have a devastating ripple effect on British citizens. It states "Warfare between major powers, an international security crisis, or a situation with multiple-contingencies across different regions, is an active possibility. It underscores "tensions between India and Pakistan" reaching "their highest levels for decades.
Furthermore, it notes: "We have seen direct military conflict between Israel and Iran. This follows years of aggressive and destabilising activity by the Iranian regime which has included activity specifically targeted against UK interests at home and overseas.
"Significant escalation in any of these theatres would have a profoundly negative impact on our energy security, the cost of living and our ability to grow our economy."
Hostile states and crime
Amidst growing concerns over national security, fears are escalating that hostile nations might engage local criminals to execute nefarious activities in the UK, effectively blurring the lines between state-backed threats and common crime. The report cautions: "It may become more difficult to identify hostile state activity as they make use of terrorist and criminal groups as their proxies."
Furthermore, an increasing dependency on data centres along with other forms of digital infrastructure is heightening vulnerabilities to cyber assaults. Information obtained by The Mirror suggests that Russia and Iran are particularly leaning towards crime syndicates to remotely stir up chaos, especially on British soil.
A source disclosed: "Both Russia and Iran are very motivated to launching sabotage, espionage or physical threats to life missions within Britain. Employing the use of criminals is cheaper and less long-term than using highly-trained operatives such as special forces or intelligence officers. It also gives hostile states deniability."
Artificial Intelligence
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence and new technologies has triggered additional concern. The growth of hypersonic missiles and AI-powered systems presents greater challenges compared to current weaponry.
Alongside this, there's a warning: "Technology will also create new vulnerabilities and change the character of conflict."
Several nations, including China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia, are actively developing AI-powered capabilities that would enable them to deploy "swarms" of drones for attack purposes. If successfully programmed, these drones would be extremely challenging to shoot down or disable, particularly if they were to fly in overwhelming numbers and be controlled by artificial intelligence responding at incredibly high speeds.
Novel chemical and biological weapons, as well as hypersonic missiles.
The unsettling new study cautions that Britain must prepare to counter novel and devastating weapons. It warns: "New chemical and biological weapons may be developed and proliferate. Hypersonic missiles and AI-enhanced systems will be supplemented by mass-produced, low sophistication capabilities like drones.
"Some of these technologies will be available to a wider range of threat actors, posing new challenges to traditional concepts of deterrence and escalation."
Terrorism
There is also a heightened risk of radicalised groups or lone individuals carrying out attacks. It warns: The combined threat from terrorists, criminals and lone actors will evolve as instability overseas feeds radicalisation and extremism in the UK.
"Ungoverned spaces in the Middle East and North Africa will accentuate these challenges, along with illegal migration.
"Terrorism - from Islamist and Extreme Right Wing ideologies - will remain a persistent, and diversifying threat. The number of vulnerable young people who are desensitised, exploited and radicalised online is likely to increase, alongside more individuals who are fixated by extreme violence."
Espionage
The document cautions: "Threats to the homeland from state actors are increasing. The UK is directly threatened by hostile activities including assassination, intimidation, espionage, sabotage, cyber attacks and other forms of democratic interference. These have targeted our citizens, institutions, journalists, universities and businesses.
"Adversaries threaten societal cohesion and seek to erode public trust through the spread of disinformation, malign use of social media and stoking tensions between generations, genders and ethnic groups. Russian warships have attempted to map out North Sea underwater cables linking internet communication between the UK, Europe and America in preparation for sabotage attacks.
"Meanwhile, critical national infrastructure – including undersea cables, energy pipelines, transportation and logistics hubs – will continue to be a target. "It may become more difficult to identify hostile state activity as they make use of terrorist and criminal groups as their proxies. Our reliance on data centres and other forms of digital infrastructure will also increase vulnerabilities to cyber attack."
Cyber attacks and cyber security
Organised crime groups, some linked to hostile nations, are estimated to launder a staggering £100 billion through the UK or UK-based corporate structures each year, with a significant portion of this activity taking place online. The devastating impact of cybercrime was highlighted by the Wannacry hackers' assault on the NHS, which resulted in an estimated £92 million loss and disrupted 19,000 medical appointments.
Cybersecurity breaches or attacks were reported by over 40% of UK businesses last year alone, underscoring the pervasive threat posed by these malicious activities. Furthermore, the total cost to society of fraud perpetrated against individuals was estimated to be at least £6.6 billion.
Climate Change
Regions like the semi-arid Sahel in Africa, spanning a vast area from Senegal on the Atlantic coast to Sudan on the Red Sea, are grappling with severe water scarcity. This area, according to Mirror sources, is beset by drought, desertification, poverty, and conflict, creating an environment conducive to terrorism.
The presence of al-Qaeda and Islamic State has led to a significant influx of refugees fleeing the region, placing additional pressure on Europe.
The document warns: "We will have to contend with the effects of climate change and potential ecosystem collapse, biological threats, demographic shifts, continued urbanisation, threats to human health, slow economic growth, inequality, and competition for basic resources, including food and water."
It further states: "Alongside our international partners, we are taking action to deliver secure energy, financial security and green growth at home, restoring the UK's position as a climate leader on the world stage."
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