Martin McCluskey MP: Cyber security is no longer a niche concern

I want to say a very Happy New Year to everyone across Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West – I hope your 2026 has begun peacefully and you’ve managed to enjoy some rest and time with loved ones over the break.

As people head back to work, school or college on Monday, it’s important to remember the people who have worked over the Christmas and New Year period to keep our community going – from our our hospital and emergency service staff to retail workers facing the Boxing Day sales.

While this is a period of rest for many, it’s an incredibly busy period for others.

On Monday, I’ll be back in Parliament for a new year continuing to fight our area’s corner. Last year we saw more UK Government funding come to our area and from April we’ll see significant increases in the minimum wage and state pension as well as cuts to energy bills – all delivered by a Labour Government.

This week the major piece of legislation Parliament will deal with is the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This critical piece of legislation is dealing with a real and present danger to our country and economy. Cyber attacks are no longer rare or abstract threats, they have sadly become a regular feature of modern life, affecting businesses and public services.

Cyber attacks on businesses have become an all too common feature of modern life. (Image: Unsplash.com)

The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover is an example of how digital disruption can quickly spread through the economy. The attack, which took place at the end of August, forced JLR to shut down its computer systems and halt production lines for several weeks.

As a result, the company reported a loss of £485 million for the three months to September, alongside nearly £200m in additional cyber-related costs. In total, experts estimate that nearly £2 billion was lost to the UK economy.

This may feel far away, but the effect was felt close to home. When production stopped, many of JLR’s suppliers, including small and medium-sized enterprises, were forced to slow or suspend operations. This can place serious strains on cashflow and jobs. This directly affected businesses in our area and across Scotland who had to reduce production with an impact on jobs.

And the attacks extend beyond JLR. Just last year, Marks and Spencer and the Co-op saw damaging and disruptive attacks on their systems.

Recent statements from the new head of MI6 have reminded us of just how serious the threat from cyber attacks has become. In her first public address, MI6’s new chief Blaise Metreweli warned that the world is entering a new era where the ‘front line is everywhere’, driven by hostile powers using digital tools to gain advantage.

Technology and cyber activity sit at the heart of how conflicts can unfold. Her message makes one thing clear – cyber security is no longer a niche concern, it affects national safety, public services, businesses and citizens every day.

Strengthening resilience across the whole country must be a priority, and that’s exactly what the Bill seeks to do.

Martin McCluskey MP (Image: Newsquest)

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is designed to strengthen the UK’s defences against cyber risks. It builds on existing rules by widening the range of organisations covered and places greater responsibility on organisations to spot problems early, report serious incidents, and take action to prevent attacks from spreading.

Crucially, the Bill focuses not just on preventing cyber attacks, but on improving the recovery when they do happen. No system can ever be completely risk-free, but preparation can reduce damage, protect jobs and keep our vital services operating during a crisis.

Over the holiday period my team have been taking a well earned break and covering emergency casework from home. But on Monday, we’ll be back in the office.

As ever, you can contact me with any enquiries by email ([email protected]) and phone (01475 789223). Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support or assistance and we will do our very best to help.