Wes Streeting Warns UK of State-Sponsored Terrorism Threats

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned on Thursday that the United Kingdom must prepare for state-sponsored terrorism targeting everyday infrastructure. Speaking at a Rheinmetall tank gun barrel factory in Telford, Streeting urged businesses and households to build resilience against hybrid warfare risks, including supply chain collapses and cyber-attacks on payment systems, as well as natural disasters like flooding and wildfires.

Streeting characterized these threats as real and increasingly present within the UK, citing broader European concerns over Russian sabotage, such as a recent incident involving an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig airport in Germany. This warning follows an August government indication that citizens should stock up on emergency food supplies to prepare for national emergencies.

To counter Russian military threats, Streeting announced that Chancellor John Healey plans to increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP in the upcoming spending review. He emphasized that the government will continue to invest more in defence to ensure the UK can win in the face of these evolving security challenges.