House of Lords launches new inquiry into UK national resilience

A new parliamentary inquiry examining the UK’s ability to prepare for and respond to major national crises is set to begin this week.

The one-off inquiry, launched by the House of Lords National Resilience Committee, will assess how effectively the UK can anticipate, withstand and recover from significant disruptions, including cyber attacks, supply chain shocks and other large-scale emergencies.

The cross-party committee aims to bring together evidence from government, industry, academia and civil society to evaluate current resilience capabilities and identify ways to strengthen coordination across sectors. A particular focus will be placed on how public and private organisations work together to respond to national risks.

The inquiry will examine several key areas, including the protection of critical infrastructure, emergency planning arrangements, public communication during crises and the impact of disinformation. It will also explore the resilience of essential services such as energy and food supply chains.

Chaired by crossbench peer Baroness Coussins, the committee will publish its findings in a final report expected in November 2026.

The first public evidence session will take place on Thursday 12 March at Parliament. The committee will hear from representatives of the National Audit Office. They will be joined by representatives from the Resilience Academy, and the Safer and Stronger Communities Committee.

A second panel will hear evidence from representatives of Resilience First, and the Confederation of British Industry.

Alongside its oral evidence sessions, the committee has issued a public call for written submissions from individuals and organisations with relevant expertise or experience. The deadline for evidence is 20 April 2026.

The committee has said its work will help inform how the country strengthens its national resilience in the years ahead.

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