Call for evidence launched into UK national preparedness and resilience

The House of Lords Committee on National Resilience has today published a call for written evidence for its inquiry into national and local preparedness and resilience. It is inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit their views on these issues.

• Call for evidence
• Inquiry: National Resilience
• Committee: National Resilience Commitee

Background

The House of Lords Select Committee on National Resilience was appointed on 27 January 2026. It is chaired by Baroness Coussins and will report by 30 November 2026. This inquiry will address the current context for preparedness and resilience, including the threats which the UK currently faces; how to achieve a whole of society approach in which everyone plays a role in achieving resilience; the interconnectedness of risks across different threats, sectors, countries, and timeframes; and strategic gaps which could be addressed, including in the private sector.

Questions

The Committee is seeking submissions relating to any or all of the following topics:

1. How far are national and international risks inter-connected, including across different sectors and across short-term and long-term risks, and what are the implications for the national approach towards preparedness and resilience?
2. What national risks could have the most severe impact in a reasonable worst-case scenario, including nuclear accidents and loss of control of satellite communications?
3. Since the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, what changes have there been to the national resilience implications of the geopolitical environment for defence spending, development of the country’s industrial base, and military recruitment?
4. What risks does the private sector face, including to cyber activity and supply chains, and how do these vary across key industries, such as finance, food, water, medicine, and transport?
5. How can a shared vision be developed to improve preparedness and resilience across the whole of society?
6. How can understanding of preparedness and resilience be improved, with action encouraged at all levels of society so that these priorities are both seen as relevant and achievable in practice?
7. How can the preparedness and resilience of civil society be strengthened, such as through funding community organisations and the inclusion of people of all ages and from all backgrounds?
8. What does the public perceive to be the biggest risks, and how can communication help to provide information about these risks, including those that are already established or materialising, and support conversations about attitudes towards preparedness and resilience?
9. What are the risks of disinformation concerning preparedness and resilience, including through digital channels and around elections, and how can these be mitigated, such as through the involvement of community organisations?
10. How should communication concerning preparedness and resilience, including the national curriculum, be targeted for particular groups, including young people aged 11-17, students, and vulnerable people?
11. What barriers have there been to implementing improvements to preparedness and resilience, such as inaction, inappropriate structures, inadequate funding, and short-term thinking?
12. What legislative measures should be considered to improve preparedness and resilience, such as a Defence Readiness Act and duties for organisations to incorporate resilience into their internal planning and business models?
13. What lessons concerning preparedness and resilience can the UK learn from other countries, including Nordic countries, and how can it facilitate international co-operation on these issues?
14. How were preparedness and resilience achieved in the past, such as during the Second World War, and what are the implications for the current environment?

The deadline for submissions is 10am on Monday 20 April 2026.