Undersea cables

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) Open Inquiry
Opened: 23 Jan 2025 Parliament page
Undersea cables form the backbone of the world’s internet. The UK has around 60 cables which connect us to the outside world, carrying 99% of our data. Concern has been growing about the risk of these cables being sabotaged by foreign states. The consequences would be extensive. This inquiry will … Read more
21 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
2 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
18 Dec
2025
Report published
19 Sep
2025
Report published
8 Sep
2025
Correspondence
14 Jul
2025
Correspondence
30 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
9 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
19 May
2025
Oral evidence
12 May
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
30 Jun 2025
View on parliament.uk
Undersea cables - 4th session - ministerial
Kevin Adams · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Luke Pollard MP · Ministry of Defence Paul Wyatt · Ministry of Defence Sir Chris Bryant MP · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
9 Jun 2025
View on parliament.uk
Undersea cables - 3rd session
Alasdair Wilkie · Atlantic Cable Maintenance & Repair Agreement (ACMA) Alex Towers · BT Group Chief Constable Gavin Stephens · National Police Chiefs' Council Dr Fenella Wrigley MBE · London Ambulance Service John Wrottesley · European Subsea Cables Association Laura Catterick · UK Finance Mick McGovern · Alcatel Submarine Networks
19 May 2025
View on parliament.uk
Undersea cables - 2nd session
Captain Niels Markussen · NATO Commodore (Rtd) John Aitken OBE · Thales Dr Marie Jacobsson · Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Professor Aurel Sari · University of Exeter
12 May 2025
View on parliament.uk
Undersea cables - 1st session
Dr Sidharth Kaushal · Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Elisabeth Braw · Atlantic Council Matthew Bowden · Red Penguin Marine Professor Kevin Rowlands · Kings College London
Title HC No. Published Items Response
1st Report - Subsea telecommunications cables: resilience and cr… HC 723 19 Sep 2025 28 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
6 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Subsea telecommunicat…
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and National Cyber Security Centre should require all UK...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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
View details
18 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Subsea telecommunicat…
The Government’s review of legislation must pay particular attention to strong deterrents, such as major...
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) Read more
Government Response
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
View details
27 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Subsea telecommunicat…
We support the Crown Estate’s ambitions to improve long-term spatial planning via the Marine Delivery...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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
View details
28 Recommendation Deferred
1st Report - Subsea telecommunicat…
The Government should further explore cable protection zones for critical areas of cable concentration, policed...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 21 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 9
Rejected 1
Total 21 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
8 Sep 2025 Correspondence from Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology regarding the oral evidence held on 14 July concerning the Undersea cables inquiry, dated 15 August 2025
Parliament page
14 Jul 2025 Correspondence from Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology following oral evidence held on 30 June on Undersea cables, dated 10 July 2025
Parliament page