New government register lists most serious threats posed to the UK

Register aims to help Britain prepare for 'worst-case scenarios' of some of the key risks to the country

The chance of a pandemic is now between 5 per cent and 25 per cent and would be 'catastrophic'. Getty Images

A new list of the key risks facing the UK has been published by the government, with situations such as a future pandemic, Russia’s potential to disrupt global energy supplies and extreme weather related to climate change topping concerns.

The register, published by the Cabinet Office, aims to help Britain prepare for “worst-case scenarios” of some of the most serious threats posed to the country.

Each risk has been assessed by factors such as the potential number of lives lost and financial cost, while the likelihood of each risk has been determined using extensive data modelling and expert analysis.

The chance of a pandemic is now between 5 per cent and 25 per cent and would be “catastrophic”, while impact assessments for weather events such as heatwaves and storms range from “significant” to “moderate” with a likelihood of between 1 per cent and 25 per cent.

Climate change has already altered the risk of certain types of extreme weather in the UK, with evidence suggesting that the frequency and intensity of storms is likely to increase in the future, the register says.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the potential threat of disruption to global energy supplies has also been included as one of the newly public risks in the 2023 list.

However, its likelihood and impact are relatively low, having been assessed at between 0.2 per cent and 1 per cent and “moderate”, respectively.

Storm Franklin makes landfall in UK – in pictures

A house and car that was damaged by Storm Franklin is seen in Ashton-under-Lyne. Storm Franklin is the third storm to hit the UK in a week. Getty Images

Debris left after floodwater receded from the River Mersey near Didsbury Golf Club. AP Photo

Flooding in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire. PA

A stranded vehicle in flood water in Belper, Derbyshire. PA

Waves crash against a lighthouse during Storm Franklin in Porthcawl, Wales. Reuters

A lorry that overturned is towed on the M60 near Manchester. PA

Waves crash over Newhaven lighthouse in East Sussex. More wet and windy weather is set to sweep across the UK. PA

Flood barriers are erected along the River Severn in Ironbridge, Shropshire. PA

Debris litters the beach in Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex. PA

People brave high winds in Doolin, County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. PA

Waves crash against the shore in Doolin. PA

A car lies underneath a fallen tree in Sutton Park, the West Midlands. Photo: West Midlands Fire Service

A car damaged by a fallen tree after high winds and wet weather in Liverpool. PA

Flooding at Rotherham train station. Photo: Northern Rail

Damage to property in Barton upon Irwell, Greater Manchester. PA

The latest register is the most transparent since its original publication in 2008, sharing some previously classified information.

The malicious use of drones is another potential threat to be made public in the list, though it has the same low likelihood and impact ratings.

The register takes into account recent high-profile events in considering risks.

For example, it cites the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in its assessment of the assassination of a public figure, for which it says there is a likelihood of more than 25 per cent.

The register measures likelihood on a scale of one to five with above 25 per cent the highest score, but says this is because “all risks” considered “are relatively low likelihood events”.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will visit energy supplier SSE’s Able Seaton Port facility in Hartlepool on Thursday to launch the new list.

It comes as the first 260-metre-tall wind turbines are installed at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which the renewables company is overseeing.

“This is the most comprehensive risk assessment we’ve ever published, so that government and our partners can put robust plans in place and be ready for anything,” Mr Dowden said.

“One of those rising risks is energy security.

“We’ve installed the first turbine at the future world’s largest offshore wind farm, which will provide secure, low-cost and clean energy for the British people – enabling us to stand up to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s energy ransom.”