Source · Select Committees · National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
1st Report - Subsea telecommunications cables: resilience and crisis preparedness
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
HC 723
Published 19 September 2025
Recommendations
6
Deferred
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and National Cyber Security Centre should require all UK...
Recommendation
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and National Cyber Security Centre should require all UK landing stations to be target-hardened to sufficient levels to deter state-backed sabotage. They should require landing station operators to develop within 12 months an emergency …
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Government Response Summary
The government requires more time to consider the recommendation, stating the MoD will work with other departments and industry to evaluate commercial cable repair capacity and determine if intervention is needed.
Cabinet Office
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18
Deferred
The Government’s review of legislation must pay particular attention to strong deterrents, such as major...
Recommendation
The Government’s review of legislation must pay particular attention to strong deterrents, such as major fines and criminal liability, that can be applied to private actors suspected of working for or on behalf of foreign states. (Recommendation, Paragraph 114)
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and is closely examining the issue of deterrents, such as major fines and criminal liability for private actors, as part of a comprehensive review of legislation relating to subsea cable infrastructure.
Cabinet Office
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27
Deferred
We support the Crown Estate’s ambitions to improve long-term spatial planning via the Marine Delivery...
Recommendation
We support the Crown Estate’s ambitions to improve long-term spatial planning via the Marine Delivery Route Map. We urge those involved to ensure that plans prioritise a diversity of cable routes to avoid creating areas of concentrated targets. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with exploring cable protection zones and is considering existing powers as part of a comprehensive legislative review. They will factor identified areas of cable concentration into their assessment and are engaging with international partners on maritime infrastructure protection.
Cabinet Office
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28
Deferred
The Government should further explore cable protection zones for critical areas of cable concentration, policed...
Recommendation
The Government should further explore cable protection zones for critical areas of cable concentration, policed by early warning indicators and heightened monitoring and response capabilities. This would require close co-operation with European partners, given the need to manage other maritime …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees to further explore cable protection zones, noting potential utility but also jurisdiction limitations and challenges in congested marine environments. They are considering existing powers as part of a legislative review and are engaging with international partners while factoring in existing work on cable concentration areas.
Cabinet Office
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