Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack

Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Holmes of Richmond

Wednesday 10th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for that. I am sure that most noble Lords will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any ongoing incidents. However, the Computer Misuse Act continues to enable the prosecution of those who have undertaken unauthorised access to computer systems for a range of malicious reasons including crime and espionage. The Government are in the process of reviewing the Act and the Home Office will provide an update on further proposals once they are finalised. In recent years, the Government’s policy has focused on supporting the insurance industry, to strengthen and grow the commercial cyber insurance market. Pool Reassurance, or Pool Re, was created to ensure the effective functioning of the UK’s terrorism insurance market. The Government do not have any plans to extend Pool Re’s remit to include further cyber-related risks.

[Lord Holmes of Richmond (Con)]

My Lords, the scale, sophistication and sources of cyberattacks are increasing exponentially. To that end, I ask again: when will the Government introduce the cybersecurity and resilience Bill? Will it be this autumn? When that Bill arrives, will it contain provisions for the wholesale reform of the Computer Misuse Act to enable our cyber professionals to do what they do best, which is protect this country and protect us as citizens?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, perhaps the noble Lord did not hear my last answer. Tackling cyberthreats and improving our national cyber defences is a priority for this Government. As I mentioned, when parliamentary time allows, the Government will introduce the cybersecurity and resilience Bill to raise cybersecurity standards in critical infrastructure and essential services such as water, energy and the NHS and, I am told, food security.