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National Security: Infrastructure

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 11 December 2025UIN 96775

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 27 November 2025 on MOD Security Review, HCWS1103, how many people are working on the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base; and how many additional people have been employed for this purpose.

Answered by Al Carns

Staff dedicated to the development of the Critical National Infrastructure Knowledge Base (CNI KB) are not based in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The MOD, working in close partnership with the Cabinet Office, remains committed to strengthening the UK's resilience through the advancement of CNI KB. Funding for the next phase is scheduled for 2026/27, and we are working with partners to explore opportunities to accelerate delivery, including appropriate classification levels. This initiative is a key enabler for the Strategic Defence Review and the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, ensuring Defence can support national resilience objectives effectively and efficiently.

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