UK leaders warned country risks 'absorbing' cyber and hybrid attacks without offensive deterrence

A parliamentary hearing warned that the UK risks "absorbing" cyber and hybrid attacks unless resilience is paired with the ability to impose costs on hostile states. Ministers defended plans to meet NATO-related spending targets including a 1.5% resilience component, while admitting that the definition of resilience spending is unclear and may mask existing expenditures; they also pledged a refreshed National Cyber Action Plan and acknowledged shortcomings in countering disinformation, prompting calls for clearer deterrence options.