Ministers give evidence on undersea cables security
Government ministers will give evidence to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy on Monday, as it concludes its inquiry into undersea cables.
Meeting details
MPs and Peers have been examining the security of the UK’s undersea telecoms cables network, which carries 99% of our data to the outside world. The inquiry has received evidence outlining extensive impacts to different economic sectors in the event of severe internet disruption. The session comes amid deepening concern about future tension with Russia, which has been linked to cable sabotage.
Sir Chris Bryant and Luke Pollard will be questioned on the adequacy of UK defences, resilience and crisis response planning. Members are likely to ask how the Government can respond to acts of moderate and severe sabotage, the legalities of adopting a more robust approach, and how the Atlantic Bastion programme – announced in the Strategic Defence Review – will work in practice.
Members are also likely to ask questions about undersea cable governance, and the commercial realities around efforts to improve national resilience.