The British government plans to create a dedicated centre aimed at combating information warfare and disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign powers, particularly Russia. The National Centre for Information Defence will work to detect, attribute, and disrupt information attacks enabled by artificial intelligence, coordinating efforts across intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and social media companies.
During a speech to the United Nations, Prime Minister Burnham characterized hostile information campaigns as insidious threats that reach into people’s homes and distort their perceptions of their own country. He noted that Russia has reportedly spent approximately £1.3 billion annually on information manipulation efforts, employing tactics including fake websites, forged articles, impersonated organization branding, and amplified extremist narratives. The government cited evidence suggesting Russian agencies attempted to interfere with the 2019 general election and exploited social tensions following significant events.
Burnham indicated that individuals experiencing economic hardship or young people outside employment, education, and training may face heightened vulnerability to disinformation and deepfake campaigns. He connected this observation to broader concerns about societal inequality, asserting that widening gaps between populations create conditions for increased susceptibility to foreign influence. The government intends to address this vulnerability through both defensive measures and efforts to improve living standards and economic opportunity.
The UK plans to leverage its experience defending against information attacks to support other nations, having already provided assistance to Moldova in protecting its elections. As additional European elections approach, Burnham emphasized the importance of sharing defensive strategies and knowledge about hostile actors’ operational methods. The announcement received endorsement from Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, who identified the centre as fulfilling a key recommendation from the committee’s March 2026 disinformation diplomacy report.
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