By M10News Staff | © M10News 2025
London, UK – The United Kingdom must “actively prepare” for a potential “wartime scenario” on its soil, according to a newly released national security strategy. The document marks the first time in years that such a threat has been formally acknowledged as a serious consideration.
The strategy identifies Russia and Iran as primary threats, highlighting Iran’s increasing “hostile activity” within the UK, including efforts to silence critics and undermine national security.
It also warns that adversaries are “laying the foundations for future conflict,” targeting energy supplies, critical infrastructure and other key systems to weaken Britain’s ability to respond to international aggression.
Escalating Threats and Domestic Readiness
In response, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stressed that the UK faces “daily challenges on the home front,” echoing the Prime Minister’s warnings about “very, very frequent and very, very serious” cyberattacks.
Starmer emphasised the importance of defending against both physical and digital threats, particularly as energy security remains vulnerable following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We must properly guard against those threats, and we will do so,” he said.
To enhance national resilience, the government plans to introduce annual readiness exercises simulating large-scale emergencies, as well as increased protection of critical infrastructure such as power stations and water facilities. The initiative, dubbed Home Defence, is designed to prepare both the government and the public for wide-ranging disruptions.
While the strategy acknowledges that “we cannot stop every hostile actor,” it aims to “make the UK a harder target for adversaries and criminals.”
‘The Wargame’: A Modern Look at a Cold War Legacy
The potential for armed conflict on British soil is at the heart of The Wargame, a new podcast series from Sky News and Tortoise. The series simulates Russian missile strikes across the UK to assess how well the country is prepared to respond, drawing stark comparisons to Cold War-era defences.
During that time, the UK and other NATO allies maintained significantly larger armed forces, robust stockpiles of munitions, and comprehensive air defence systems.
Civil society was also more engaged in national preparedness, including for nuclear war, with widespread support for defence spending as a form of national insurance.
However, the end of the Cold War ushered in a “peace dividend,” prompting successive governments to shift spending from defence to areas such as healthcare, welfare, and economic development. With today’s renewed threats and reduced resilience, The Wargame explores the consequences of a nation caught unprepared.
Editing by M10News International Team | © M10News 2025. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
