# UK must prepare for infrastructure attacks by hostile states, says Streeting

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/uk-must-prepare-for-infrastructure-attacks-by-hostile-states-says-streeting/
- Published: 2026-10-22T13:38:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-22T14:28:51+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/22/britain-prepare-infrastructure-attacks-hostile-states-wes-streeting
- Topics: Art, Business, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Geopolitics, Politics, Software, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- Streeting urged the UK to prepare for infrastructure disruption by hostile states.
- Cyber-attacks could affect payments and supply chains.
- Defence spending is planned to reach 3.5% of GDP.

## Summary

Defence secretary Wes Streeting said the UK should prepare for hostile states to disrupt everyday infrastructure, describing the risk as “state-sponsored terrorism”. He called for households and businesses to consider how they would cope with cyber-attacks, payment systems going offline and supply chains breaking down, as well as natural emergencies.

Streeting spoke at the opening of a Rheinmetall tank gun barrel factory in Telford, built as part of efforts to speed up rearmament amid Russian threats. He pointed to sabotage incidents in Europe and said the government had indicated that people may be advised to stock up on tinned food and prepare for emergencies. He also said defence spending is set to rise, with plans for it to reach 3.5% of GDP in next year’s spending review.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.