Security and public safety
Use the National Risk Register
The National Risk Register explains serious risks that could affect the UK and its interests. It gives context for preparedness across government, businesses and communities. For a household, the useful next step is to identify how disruption might affect daily life, then make a practical plan using local guidance.
Published: Updated:
Last checked: 7 November 2026 How we evaluate sources
Find the verified publication
The Cabinet Office publication checked on 7 November 2026 is National Risk Register 2026, published by the Cabinet Office on 14 July 2026. Its GOV.UK page also provides a shorter introductory guide. Check that page for updates before relying on an edition.
The register is the public version of the National Security Risk Assessment. It considers the likelihood and possible impact of serious risks. The detailed material is primarily aimed at people responsible for risk and resilience planning.
Open the Cabinet Office National Risk Register publication (opens in a new tab)
Read scenarios in context
Planning scenarios explore plausible severe outcomes so organisations can prepare. They do not say that a particular event is about to happen, or that its consequences will occur exactly as described. The likelihood and impact scales help compare different risks within the assessment.
Read the explanation beside a chart rather than ranking risks from a screenshot. A risk with a large possible impact is not automatically the most likely event for your household. National assessments and local exposure answer different questions.
Read the shorter guide to the 2026 register (opens in a new tab)
Turn broad risks into everyday questions
Start with preparations that help across several situations. A written contact plan, accessible information and a discussion with people who may need support can be useful before buying anything. These questions are a household planning aid, not a ranking from the register.
| Possible disruption | Useful planning question |
|---|---|
| Power or communications unavailable | How would we get updates and contact each other? |
| Water supply interrupted | What drinking water and essential supplies can we keep? |
| Unable to return home | Where could we meet and stay safely? |
| Usual care or transport disrupted | Who can help, and what is the backup arrangement? |
Add local knowledge
Look for your area's community risk register and council emergency information. Local arrangements reflect geography, services and infrastructure that a national overview cannot describe in detail. The GOV.UK resilience directory links to local partnerships and routes for the devolved nations.
Use the advice for where you actually live, work or care for someone. Make a note of the relevant service providers and warning channels you would use during disruption, rather than expecting the National Risk Register to provide live updates.
Your next-steps checklist
- Choose two or three disruptions most relevant to your household.
- Write down contact numbers and an agreed meeting place.
- Plan for medicines, care, mobility, communication and pets.
- Build essential supplies gradually within your budget and storage space.
- Discuss backup help with trusted people, especially for someone living alone.
- Review the plan when your circumstances or local guidance changes.
Common questions
Does inclusion mean an emergency is expected soon?
No. The register supports preparation for serious possibilities. Use current warnings and instructions from the responsible services to assess an actual developing incident.
Do I need to read the whole register?
Most households can start with the introductory guide, local risk information and a simple household plan. Detailed scenarios are more useful for professional planning.
Make your next step practical
Keep preparing
Evidence and service information
Sources behind this guidance
We develop our guidance using the sources below. Check the named organisation for current service details, live warnings and local instructions. Sources checked 7 November 2026.
- National Risk Register 2026Cabinet Office
- A Guide to the National Risk Register 2026Cabinet Office
- Local resilience forums: contact detailsCabinet Office
- Be ready for emergenciesUK Government