Defence Spending and Resilience

Lord Stirrup Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his important question. The remarks made by the Defence Secretary and others have started the conversation, which is leading to that increased awareness. Does that mean that everyone is aware of the threats that we face? I think there is still a job of work to do with respect to that.

In particular, I do not think we are going to see Russian paratroopers in Southwark, but, in respect of the threat to Southwark and across the United Kingdom in terms of cyber attack, disruption to trade, misinformation, threats that we all need to understand and be prepared for, there is a lot of work to be done.

[Lord Stirrup (CB)]

My Lords, the national conversation on defence, such an important issue, cannot be just a series of rambling and random chats or sporadically issued propositions. It requires a coherent plan, driven from the top, properly resourced and appropriately targeted to the relevant audiences, the most important of which are Generation Z, who have the most difficulty understanding the need. Where is the plan?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

My right honourable friend in the other place, the Security Minister, with the support of the Defence Secretary, has announced the Be Ready campaign, which is a national resilience public awareness campaign. It has been built up with the devolved Administrations and local resilience forums. More than 500 organisations have signed up to help with the distribution of the advice that will be given to people. The national conversation will be a part of that.

The noble and gallant Lord will be pleased to know that social media will play a crucial part, to make sure that we do not just use the media that many of us listen to but the media that Generation Z and others listen to. That will be an important part of the plan.