Politics · United Kingdom · 5 hrs ago
UK Lords back plan to disclose foreign cyber threats
The House of Lords approved an amendment to the UK’s Cyber Security and Resilience bill on Monday.
It would require ministers to keep a record of foreign states targeting British networks and report the risks to Parliament.
The measure covers all foreign powers, including China, which has been accused of cyber-attacks on British institutions and politicians.
The Government opposed the amendment, and critics accused it of avoiding a direct confrontation with Beijing.
Peers passed the measure by 194 votes to 155, meaning ministers would have to disclose foreign cyber activity if it becomes law.
The Conservatives say they will push for the measure in the House of Commons, where the bill still faces further debate.
The House of Lords passed an amendment requiring the Government to record foreign states targeting British networks and report risks to Parliament.
The amendment passed by 194 votes to 155.
It covers all foreign powers, though the article highlights China as a potential subject of disclosure.
The Government opposed the amendment, while Conservative and Crossbench peers supported it.
- Who
- The House of Lords voted on an amendment to the Cyber Security and Resilience bill.
- What
- Peers backed a requirement for the Government to log foreign states targeting British networks and report related risks to Parliament.
- When
- Monday; the article was published on 27 October 2026.
- Where
- The House of Lords, in the UK.
- Why
- The amendment aims to make the risks posed by hostile foreign states more transparent.
The Government
Conservative and Crossbench supporters of the amendment
Public disclosure
The Government
The Government opposed the amendment; Labour peers voted against it.
Conservative and Crossbench supporters of the amendment
Supporters backed a requirement to record foreign states targeting British networks and report risks to Parliament.
Approach to hostile states
The Government
The Government was accused by critics of resisting the measure to avoid naming China.
Conservative and Crossbench supporters of the amendment
Supporters said the Government should be clearer about which states threaten UK security.
The Lords voted on the amendment to the Cyber Security and Resilience bill.
The amendment passed, with 194 peers in favour and 155 against.
- Vote in favour
- 194 peers
- Vote against
- 155 peers
- Bill
- Cyber Security and Resilience bill
- Scope
- Foreign states targeting British networks
- Publication date
- 27 October 2026
What people are saying
We need to be much clearer about who is threatening our security instead of playing footsie with hostile regimes.
It should not take a defeat in Parliament to force ministers to confront the dangers posed by hostile foreign actors.
The reality is that we cannot pretend that Beijing is a benign partner anymore.