Report calls for a National Resilience Corps formed of thousands of volunteers

A new report is calling for a National Resilience Corps (NRC), formed of tens of thousands of volunteers, to strengthen Britain's security preparedness.

The proposal would establish a voluntary civilian organisation, beginning with 10,000 volunteers in its first year and rising to 50,000 within five years, to support critical national infrastructure and essential services during crises.

ThinkLabour is calling for the creation of the new NRC after drawing on the findings of its new report in collaboration with the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG).

Volunteers would complete 10 days of training, followed by regular volunteering and training, before being available to support responses to emergencies.

The Corps would focus on sectors including health, energy, transport, communications, food, water and emergency services, complementing rather than duplicating existing organisations.

Drawing on examples from countries including Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany, the report estimates that the scheme would cost £90m in its first year, rising to £240m by year five.

In a foreword to the report, Al Carns MP, the former armed forces minister who served as a Royal Marines officer, said the proposed Corps "would be a major step in the right direction".

He added: "It could provide the structure through which cyber specialists are mobilised following a major attack; logistics workers help deliver food and medicine during a prolonged power outage; and trained citizens support vulnerable people and essential services when normal systems are disrupted."

The NRC would help turn willingness into practical capability by giving people the training and experience to support their communities in a crisis, according to Ed Arnold, a senior fellow at the BFPG.

Polling conducted by ThinkLabour for the report found strong public support, with 47% supporting the creation of an NRC, compared with 12% opposing it.

More from Sky News:
Evacuation after unexploded Second World War bomb found
UK to join new EU ocean science scheme amid El Nino concerns

While many people lacked confidence they had the skills needed to help effectively, 76% said they would be willing to distribute food, medicine or emergency supplies during a crisis, and 71% would be willing to help keep essential services running.

Christabel Cooper, interim director of political strategy at ThinkLabour, said: "The establishment of an NRC both brings home the reality of the threats the UK faces, but also gives ordinary people the chance to help the government counter it."

Last week, Mr Carns revealed in an interview that can be watched on Defence Insider that all government departments would publish updated war plans by the end of the year.

(c) Sky News 2026: Report calls for a National Resilience Corps formed of thousands of volunteers