Flu pandemic tops risk register

Flooding is among the hazards highlighted in the register


A flu pandemic is the gravest threat to UK security as it could claim up to 750,000 lives, according to a new National Risk Register.

The document, commissioned by the prime minister, aims to publicly set out the potential impact of a range of different risks for the first time.

Other issues examined include terrorism and flooding.

The information had been kept secret up until now. The register will be updated annually by the Cabinet Office.

The report offers an insight into the various dangers faced by the UK and how they are viewed by government advisors.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said that while officials insist the register was not intended to rank dangers in any kind of priority, it is clear that pandemic flu emerges as the gravest threat to national security.

'Mature conversation'

According to the report, while terrorist attacks are the most likely threat, a flu pandemic is overdue and could claim 50,000 - 750,000 lives.

Ian Kearns, who is deputy chair of think tank IPPR's security commission, praised the government for trying to stimulate a "mature conversation" with the public and businesses on the risks facing the UK.

He said the register was particularly aimed at encouraging public and private organisations to think about their response to major emergencies.

"You might want to ask the question, for example, what happens if many of our heavy goods vehicle drivers fell victim to that influenza and weren't able to perform their jobs?

"Do we have enough back-up to be able, for example, to deliver food to the supermarkets?" he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"These kinds of questions about resilience of supply chains and so on; how essential workers might be affected. These are the kind of things that public and private sector organisations need to think about."

Cyber attacks

The launch of the register, which was commissioned in March, follows the launch of the National Security Strategy, in the same month.

On that occasion, the prime minister said the number of security service staff would rise to 4,000 and that there would be new moves to secure the UK against cyber-attacks.

He also said there would be a 1,000-strong civilian task-force to be sent to troubled areas around the world.

As part of the National Security Strategy, four regional counter-terrorism units and four regional intelligence units would be set up to help the police.