‘Not clear’ who was behind FCDO hack, says minister, amid reports of China link – UK politics live | Politics

‘It is not clear’ who is behind the cyber attack
Good morning.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office hacked in OctoberAccording to Commerce Secretary Chris Bryant.
Details of the attack were revealed in a report published Friday. Sun It was claimed that a Chinese hacker group was behind the cyber attack.
Sun named Storm 1849 as the Chinese cyber gang responsible for the attack and said it was understood the attack likely involved tens of thousands of visa details.
The group “has been accused of targeting politicians and groups critical of the Chinese government,” the newspaper said.
But when asked whether China was behind the attack, Bryant said: “It’s not entirely clear.”
Bryant told Sky News: “There has definitely been a hack at FCDO and we’ve been aware of it since October.”
“I think some of the reports are more speculation than true.”
He added: “We’re pretty confident that the risk of any individual actually being affected by this is low.”
A government spokesman told the Guardian: “We are working to investigate a cyber incident. We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.”
important events
Conservative shadow foreign secretary responds to news of FCDO hack Priti Patel He shared a Telegraph report saying the hack was Chinese and wrote on X:
“China is undermining our security, our institutions and our democracy, but Labor cannot protect Britain from China’s foreign interference in our country.
“Starmer kowtows to China at every opportunity and cannot be trusted to protect our national interests.”
Reform accused of obstructing review of claim to save £40m
The reform-run City council has been accused of trying to block the review after it refused for more than five months to provide evidence that it had saved more than £40 million by canceling two environmental projects that did not yet exist.
Polly Billington, the Labor MP in Kent, first sought background on the allegation via a freedom of information (FoI) request in July. He said the subsequent delay was not explained and showed the council was embarrassed by what the documents would show.
Kent county council said it rejected any allegations of a cover-up and planned to disclose the information to East Thanet MP Billington later this week.
Read more of the special report:
UK borrowed more than expected in November due to pre-budget pressure
Richard Partington
The UK government borrowed more than expected in November, official figures show, amid pressure on the economy ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget.
figures Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed public sector net borrowing (the difference between spending and income) was £11.7bn last month, £1.9bn lower than in the same month the previous year.
For the first time since the November budget, data has emerged above City’s £10bn deficit forecasts.
The figures come a day after the Bank of England cut interest rates for the sixth time since August last year; The cut eased some of the pressure on debtors in a pre-Christmas boost to Britain’s struggling economy.
Elliott Jordan-Doak, senior British economist at consultancy Capital Economics, said the higher-than-expected November borrowing figure showed it was “only a matter of time before fiscal concerns begin to dominate the news cycle again” after Reeves’ budget.
“Public finances remain weak. Reeves gave fiscal credibility to large tax increases late in the forecast period. But we think today’s numbers better illustrate the shaky foundations of this gamble.”
Follow our live blog for the latest updates on business news:
Reform retained its seat in the by-election

Jamie Grierson
Reform UK retained its seat on Cornwall council in the by-election following a turbulent period for the party in the county.
The result shows continued support for Nigel Farage’s party in Cornwall despite a flurry of resignations and suspensions, as well as public rows that many say are undermining Reform’s authority in the county.
Reform Heinz Wolfgang Glanville He was elected new member of St Columb Minor and Colan with 408 votes, beating independent candidate John Fitter by 325 votes.
The by-election was held after Reform UK member Christine Parsonage resigned for medical reasons. He had come under heavy criticism for living more than 40 miles from the department.
After the local elections held in May, Reform could not form a government even though it had the most seats in the district. However, following a number of resignations, the party no longer holds that title and is now the second largest party by number of seats on the council, behind the Liberal Democrats, who govern in coalition with independents.
‘It is not clear’ who is behind the cyber attack
Good morning.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office hacked in OctoberAccording to Commerce Secretary Chris Bryant.
Details of the attack were revealed in a report published Friday. Sun It was claimed that a Chinese hacker group was behind the cyber attack.
Sun named Storm 1849 as the Chinese cyber gang responsible for the attack and said it was understood the attack likely involved tens of thousands of visa details.
The group “has been accused of targeting politicians and groups critical of the Chinese government,” the newspaper said.
But when asked whether China was behind the attack, Bryant said: “It’s not entirely clear.”
Bryant told Sky News: “There has definitely been a hack at FCDO and we’ve been aware of it since October.”
“I think some of the reports are more speculation than true.”
“We’re pretty confident that the risk of any individual actually being affected by this is low,” he added.
A government spokesman told the Guardian: “We are working to investigate a cyber incident. We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously.”




