Nuclear weapons threat to UK 'growing' as challenge 'more complex than Cold War'
The threat of nuclear weapons to Britain is "growing" in an era of "radical uncertainty", the National Security Strategy review has revealed.
It comes as the UK was told it must "actively prepare" for war on British soil, the government's review today concluded. The newly-published document warns the years ahead will test the nation - with a World War Two-style spirit needing to be mobilised.
It said that tackling the threat of nuclear weapons will be "more complex than it was even in the Cold War". The strategy went on to warn that major powers like China and Russia are seeking to gain an upper hand in "outer space, cyberspace, the deep sea, and at the Arctic and Antarctic poles".
The National Security Strategy states: "The foundations of strategic stability are being challenged. 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."
The new report also warned that hostile states may join forces with terror groups and criminals to carry out attacks on these shores. It went on "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 strategy said arms control measures had failed to keep up with the spread of nuclear weapons - highlighted by alarm over Iran's nuclear weapons programme. It said: "The threat to the UK and our allies from nuclear weapons is once again growing.
Addressing MPs in the Commons, cabinet office minister Pat McFadden said the Government needs to be "clear-eyed and hard-edged". Mr McFadden said ministers would work on protecting security at home by bolstering borders and making the UK "more resilient to future threats".
He said more would need to be done with international allies to defend collective security - especially in the UK's relations with major powers like China. The strategy warned that "instances of China's espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have increased in recent years".
Mr McFadden also set out the UK's priority to rebuild its defence industries and building "advantages in new frontier technologies" like AI. "All of this will make us a stronger and more resilient country," he added.
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