The biggest threats in the UK are named: from a new pandemic to a nuclear attack

The National Risk Register highlights the most important of the 89 dangers posed to the UK, writes the Daily Mail.

The biggest threats include another pandemic and artificial intelligence.

The most dangerous threats facing Britain include another pandemic that could kill 840,000 people, power outages due to (of course!) Russia and artificial intelligence, a major government report warned this week.

Designed to help Britain prepare for a “worst-case scenario”, the National Risk Register highlights 89 risk points ranging from climate change to cyberattacks.

The impact of each risk was assessed taking into account factors such as the potential number of lives lost and financial costs, while the likelihood of each risk was determined using extensive data modeling and expert analysis.

The report says that another pandemic would be “catastrophic”, and the probability of its occurrence is estimated at between 5 and 25 percent.

The report says experts consider the respiratory pathogen “the most likely cause of a future pandemic that will affect the UK”, echoing the coronavirus crisis.

In a “reasonable worst case” scenario, a “relentless” respiratory pandemic with 4 per cent of symptomatic infections requiring hospital treatment and a fatality rate of 2.5 per cent would make half the UK population sick.

This will last at least nine months, and it is estimated that about 1.34 million people will need hospital treatment.

The report says that this could lead to the death of up to 840,000 people in the UK, the Daily Mail notes.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, the potential threat of interruptions in global energy supplies has also been included as one of the new public risks in the list for 2023.

However, its probability and impact are relatively low and are estimated at between 0.2% and 1% and are considered “moderate” respectively.

The latest registry also warns that advances in artificial intelligence systems and their capabilities have “a range of implications spanning chronic and acute risks.”

The report states that artificial intelligence “could lead to an increase in harmful misinformation or, if mishandled, reduce economic competitiveness.”

Malicious use of drones is another potential threat.

The current registry is the most transparent since it was originally published in 2008, and contains some previously classified information.

British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “This is the most comprehensive risk assessment we’ve ever released so that the government and our partners can develop sound plans and be ready for anything.”

Matt Collins, Deputy National Security Adviser, said: “A comprehensive understanding of the risks we face is critical to keeping the UK safe.”

So, to sum up, which dangers, representing risks for Britain, seemed to be the most interesting for the Daily Mail.

Pandemic: A new pathogen spreading rapidly due to a lack of immunity has the potential to infect half of the UK population, potentially leading to the death of up to 840,000 people. Probability: 5-25 percent.

Large-scale attacks using weapons of mass destruction: chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats cannot be ruled out by terrorists, hostile states or criminals. Probability: 1-5 percent.

Release of radiation from abroad: such an accident could increase the risk of cancer in the population in the long term. Probability: less than 0.2 percent.

Terrorist attacks in public places: the explosion of a homemade bomb in a crowded place would lead to numerous deaths. Probability: more than 25 percent.

Assault on British allies: An attack with large and advanced military forces against a NATO partner will most likely require the involvement of the British in the conflict. Probability: more than 25 percent.

Severe space weather: Solar flares and other phenomena can disable orbiting satellites, disrupt GPS, aviation or telecommunications. Probability: 5-25 percent.

Low temperatures and snow: Snow in many parts of the UK, and especially low temperatures, will affect vulnerable communities. Probability: 5-25 percent.

Volcanic eruption: An ash-rich eruption in UK airspace could seriously disrupt flights. Probability: 5-25 percent.