The 2023 National Risk Register is the external version of the National Security Risk Assessment, which is the government’s assessment of the most serious risks facing the UK. It provides the government’s updated assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a broad range of risks that may directly affect the UK and its interests.
This version of the National Risk Register is more transparent than ever before. It reflects the principles of the UK Government Resilience Framework to communicate risk information in a more open and accessible way, to ensure shared understanding of and greater preparedness for risks. It’s aimed at risk and resilience practitioners, including businesses and voluntary and community sector organisations.
The NRR includes information about 89 specific risks grouped into 9 themes, which are:
Each risk is assessed for its likelihood and impact using a rigorous methodology. The assessments include a "reasonable worst-case scenario" for each risk, which represents the most severe manifestation of that risk. This helps relevant authorities plan for emergencies.
Notably, chronic risks that pose continuous challenges and are typically long-term in nature, like climate change and antimicrobial resistance, are no longer included in the NRR. These chronic risks require a different approach and are addressed through ongoing policy and operational work by the government.
The NRR serves as a critical resource for various risk and resilience practitioners, including government agencies, businesses, academics, and experts. It aids in understanding and preparing for the most serious risks that could impact the UK. However, it is not intended for the general public, who receive tailored guidance and communication through various government campaigns and services, depending on the specific risks that may affect them.
