London-The UK Government has taken a major step in combating cyber crime with the passage of the Cyber Security Resilience Bill in the House of Commons at its Second Reading. The bill will now move to the Committee stage for further scrutiny.
Cyber attacks have become a costly problem for the UK, with businesses losing an estimated £15 billion annually. The National Health Service (NHS) has also been affected, with over 11,000 appointments and procedures cancelled last year due to cyber incidents.
The new bill aims to protect both businesses and essential public services from the growing threat of cyber crime. It proposes to expand the sectors regulated under UK cyber laws, enforce stricter security standards, and grant regulators more authority to ensure that critical services and digital infrastructure remain resilient against cyber threats.
In parallel, the Government also published a Cyber Action Plan on 6 January, backed by over £210 million in funding. Led by the newly established Government Cyber Unit, the plan seeks to enhance cyber defences across government departments and the wider public sector. Its goal is to improve digital resilience rapidly, ensuring that the public can trust that their data and services are secure.
MP Preet Kaur Gill welcomed the legislation, highlighting the importance of protecting the UK’s digital infrastructure and supporting businesses and public services in the fight against cyber crime.
If you want, I can also make a concise, media-ready version suitable for social media or press release style highlighting the £15 billion losses, NHS impact, and the £210 million Cyber Action Plan—all in one punchy story. Do you want me to do that?