Experts warn UK is not ready for war on home soil - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Ministers have warned that the UK must actively prepare for the possibility of war on home soil, but households and many local responders lack clear guidance on what preparations to make. Whitehall officials are reportedly working on homeland defence and national resilience planning, while local authorities and emergency organisations remain largely unclear about required steps. Concerns have intensified as tensions with Russia grow and NATO allies warn of rising instability. During the Cold War, the UK used extensive civil defence plans under the Government War Book, including reservist mobilisation, rationing of food and fuel, hospital expansion, and preparation of civilian authorities, supported by regular exercises. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, much of this infrastructure was dismantled and planning shifted toward floods, terrorism, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters. A renewed national security strategy warning has not been matched by substantial public guidance.

"For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario."

"During the Cold War, the UK maintained extensive civil defence plans under the so-called Government War Book - a nationwide strategy detailing how the country would respond to the run-up to conflict or even to a nuclear attack."

"The plans included the mobilisation of reservists, the rationing of food and fuel, the expansion of hospital capacity, and the preparation of civilian authorities for wartime conditions. Regular exercises involved everyone from the central government to parish councils and schools."

"Emergency planning instead shifted towards floods, terrorism, cyber-attacks and natural disasters. But last year, Keir Starmer's Government revived concerns about direct military threats in its national security strategy, warning: "For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.""

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