Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the UK’s sovereign capabilities in cyber-warfare.

UK Defence has invested significantly in sovereign cyber capabilities, standing up the National Cyber Force in 2020 to counter and contest those who would do harm to the UK or its allies. In addition, Defence has also invested in programmes to improve cyber resilience. The UK is a leading responsible and democratic cyber power and Defence is committed to further investment to both grow the National Cyber Force and build further defensive cyber capabilities. The importance of digital and cyber to future warfare is also being considered as a next step within the Strategic Defence Review. Defence will continue to work together with the Cabinet Office, National Cyber Security Centre and other partners as part of a whole of society approach to delivering the National Cyber Strategy.