UK building new centre to fight online disinformation

Key Points

UK will create a National Centre for Information Defence
Foreign Affairs Select Committee recommended the centre
Burnham says Russia is running hybrid attacks across Europe
UK and Germany agreed a new partnership on hybrid threats

The UK will set up a National Centre for Information Defence to counter hostile states’ attempts to destabilise democracy.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the plan in a statement to the House of Commons on 12 October, following his speech to the UN General Assembly.

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee originally recommended that the government create the centre.

“We must be clear-eyed about attempts to destabilise our democracies,” said Burnham.

Burnham told MPs that Russia is running a campaign of hybrid attacks and sabotage across Europe.

He agreed a new partnership with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin last week to tackle these hybrid threats.

Burnham also said the government’s assessment is that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps almost certainly directed an incident at RAF Fairford.

“We will not tolerate these threats on our soil,” said Burnham.

He added that the government will crack down on Iran’s use of criminal networks and bring further sanctions against the IRGC.

The Online Safety Act already requires social media platforms to tackle foreign interference as a priority offence, with Ofcom enforcing the rules.

One set of rules for AI

Burnham said he also wants G20 nations to agree one set of global AI rules during the UK’s 2027 presidency.

“I confirmed in New York that we will place AI centre stage in our presidency, capturing the incredible opportunities it presents while guarding against the risks,” said Burnham.

The UK takes over the G20 presidency from the US in 2027. The group brings together 19 countries, the EU and the African Union, including the US and China, whose firms build most of the world’s leading AI models.

Burnham said leading industry voices, including the president of Microsoft, regard Britain as the world leader in AI safety.

“So, we are well placed to take on this role and work towards agreeing a single set of global principles and standards on AI as part of our G20 presidency year,” said Burnham.