MP stands up for businesses crippled by cyber attacks

The staggering impact of cyber attacks on local businesses was raised by local MP Lisa Smart in the House of Commons this week, after the £1.9 billion cost of an attack on Jaguar Land Rover was revealed. Last year 612,000 businesses and 61,000 charities across the UK were targeted in cyber attacks.

With local businesses and charities under threat, she asked the Minister what progress was being made on the Government's Resilience Action Plan, and when legislation would come in to defend those businesses.

Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove Constituency, said: “The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover is reported to cost the UK economy £1.9 billion, making it the most expensive in British history. 

“It follows similar crippling incidents for many other companies. Individual companies are taking their own security decisions, but the impact of those decisions can be felt at a national and an international level. We need to know that progress is being made in this area.”

The legislation to deal with this was announced in the 2024 King’s Speech, but as yet nothing has been brought forward. 

Lisa added: “If you work in a local business, you often don’t have the time or the resources to deal with something on this scale, which can be crippling. That’s why the Government has to make sure it is standing up for UK businesses and employers right now.”