The British government is accelerating work on a “home defence” plan and launching a public information campaign to prepare citizens for emergencies. This comes amid Russian threats and a cyber attack on a UK energy facility linked to Iran. The government’s “war book,” last updated in 2004, is being revised to align military and civilian efforts in case of international hostilities.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made “resilience” a key theme, with officials urging households to stockpile tinned food and bottled water. The campaign will offer practical advice, not fearmongering, according to one official. Separately, hackers tied to Iran are suspected of attacking a small UK energy site, raising concerns about infrastructure vulnerability.

Energy experts warn the UK’s grid is “very vulnerable,” citing interconnectors, gas pipelines, and offshore wind farms as easy targets. Downing Street insists Britain has “one of the most resilient energy systems in the world” and is blocking purchases from high-risk suppliers. Joe Doetzl of Hitachi Energy notes large operators like National Grid have robust cyber programs, but smaller grid-connected assets remain exposed.