**UK Government Hacked in October, Minister Confirms**

The UK government has confirmed that it was hacked in October, following reports by a Chinese cyber gang known as Storm 1849.

British trade department minister Chris Bryant revealed the news on Times Radio, stating "There certainly has been a hack." When pressed for more information, he added that the government is continuing to investigate and is "fairly confident" that there is a low risk of individual data being compromised.

The Sun newspaper had previously reported that Storm 1849, a China-linked gang, had breached systems at the Foreign Office to access sensitive data. The group has been accused of targeting politicians and groups critical of the Chinese government.

"We managed to close the hole very quickly," Bryant told Sky News, describing the breach as a "technical issue" in one of their sites. He also emphasized that the reporting around the incident was speculative, and that the government is working to investigate the matter further.

The incident follows two major cyber attacks on British companies this year, including Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer. The country's largest car maker was forced to shut down production for five weeks due to a hack, while retailer Marks & Spencer suspended online orders for six weeks.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously stated that China poses "national security threats" to Britain, but has also defended the government's decision to step up engagement with the country. He is due to visit Beijing in late January, according to sources.

The UK government has stated that it takes the security of its systems and data extremely seriously, and is working to investigate the incident further. In a statement, a foreign office spokesperson said: "We take the security of our systems and data extremely seriously. We are investigating this matter and will not comment on ongoing investigations."

Storm 1849 is believed to be part of a state-aligned hacking apparatus, and has been accused of targeting sensitive information from governments and organizations around the world.

The incident raises questions about the UK government's cyber security measures, particularly in light of its engagement with China. As the country continues to navigate the complex world of international relations, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact future diplomatic efforts.