UK War Fears Rise: Poll Reveals Public Concerns & Resilience Push

Nearly 40% of people in the UK now believe the country will be at war within five years, according to a new poll released today as a private initiative to bolster national resilience officially launched. The survey too revealed that over two-thirds of the population feel unprepared for conflict and more than half believe Britain is inadequately defended.

The launch of the Resilience Imperative, a non-partisan and independently funded campaign, comes amid growing concern over hybrid warfare tactics employed by hostile state actors, particularly Russia. Founded by Lady Olga Maitland and the Defence and Security Forum, the organization aims to raise public awareness of unconventional attacks – including cyber warfare, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage – designed to destabilize British society, as detailed on its website.

“This will be a national campaign, working with a coalition of organisations across all sectors of society, informing all corners of society from individuals to the financial and business sectors, and the communities up and down the country,” Maitland said, according to a statement released by Sky News. “We aim to inform policy debate and reinforce resolve as a cornerstone of national defence.”

The initiative’s emergence, spearheaded by a non-governmental organization rather than the British government, signals a growing recognition of the need for enhanced national resilience, echoing a sentiment previously highlighted by The Wargame podcast by Sky News and Tortoise Media. This echoes a historical precedent, with the launch of the campaign reminiscent of the widespread public preparedness efforts undertaken during the Cold War.

The focus extends beyond traditional military threats. General Sir Richard Barrons, a former top military commander, emphasized the importance of preparing for attacks below the threshold of conventional warfare. “Now is the time for every citizen, enterprise and institution, including government, to make resilience an everyday part of how we think and act,” Barrons stated, as reported by Sky News. He warned that resilience is often treated as a technical issue, rather than a fundamental national priority.

The UK’s vulnerability to cyberattacks is a particular concern. The country is the third most targeted nation globally, facing an estimated 100 million cyberattacks in the summer of 2025 alone, costing businesses approximately £64 billion, according to the Defence and Security Forum. Physical infrastructure is also at risk, with reports of Russian intelligence vessels mapping undersea communication cables in UK waters and instances of communication lines being cut in the Baltic Sea.

Alongside the private initiative, the government is also taking steps to address national preparedness. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the head of the armed forces, announced in January that work is underway to produce a new “national defence plan” – a modern equivalent of the Government War Book used during the First World War and maintained until the collapse of the Soviet Union. The plan, led by the Cabinet Office, aims to outline a comprehensive strategy for transitioning the country from peacetime to wartime, with the military component expected to be finalized this year.

The public’s anxieties extend beyond immediate threats. The Public First poll also revealed a significant shift in perception regarding the United States, with 57% of respondents now viewing the US as a threat, alongside Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China. Only 42% of those surveyed indicated they would feel compelled to act if Britain were threatened.

The findings of the Public First poll are expected to be presented in full today, leaving unanswered questions about the depth of public concern and the level of preparedness across the UK.