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21 May 2025 - UK economic security - Oral evidence

Committee Business and Trade Sub-Committee on Economic Security, Arms and Export Controls
Inquiry UK economic security

Wednesday 21 May 2025

Start times: 2:00pm (private) 2:15pm (public)


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How prepared is British business for emerging national security threats? Crowdstrike, Oracle, mining, energy and infrastructure executives give evidence  

Amid reports of a new “Home Guard” to protect critical national infrastructure, the BTC will hear expert evidence from business and infrastructure executives on UK PLC’s preparedness for evolving threats in critical supply chains and emerging technologies.   

Meeting details

At 2:00pm: Private discussion
Inquiry UK economic security
At 2:15pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry UK economic security
VP Business Development and Government Relations at Cornish Lithium Limited
Chairman at Pensana
Policy & Government Affairs Principal at International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
At 3:00pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry UK economic security
CEO at Associated British Ports
Deputy CEO at techUK
Chief Executive at Renewable Energy Association
CEO at ADS Group
At 3:45pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry UK economic security
Director, Government Strategy at Fortinet
Field Chief Technology Officer, Europe at CrowdStrike
CEO at Paragraf
CEO at Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd

Much of the UK’s critical national infrastructure privately operated. With the security of critical infrastructure and supply chains at stake, how well placed is British business to confront increasingly sophisticated state and non-state based threats?

Does Government effectively share intelligence with the private sector, developing a co-ordinated response? 

How can Britain get ahead in the race to confront the cyber-security threats that risk becoming uninsurable by the private sector? 

The US’ chaotic tariff war presents clear risks to UK manufacturing capacity and jobs. But China’s action in retaliation raises further questions about the security of technology and component minerals that are critical to the UK’s energy, industrial and growth strategies. Should the UK be doing more to protect its emerging technology sector? 

Boston Consulting Group estimates that over the next four years, critical sectors will require between £363 and £583 billion in additional capital to meet their growth needs.

Should this investment come from foreign companies - and if not, where is it going to come from?  

Chair of the Committee Rt Hon Liam Byrne said: “Economic security, like national defence, is no longer the job of government alone—it must become a whole-of-society mission. Just as we once rallied to defend our shores, today we must unite to protect our supply chains, our critical industries, and the perimeters of our online world. In this new age of systemic threats—from hostile states to hostile code—resilience must be built in boardrooms, not just bunkers.”

The Committee is investigating the guidance and support the UK Government currently offers to businesses grappling with an explosion in threats to their operations and supply chains.  

Location

Room 15, Palace of Westminster

How to attend