**UK Government Confirms Hack in October: Chinese Group Storm 1849 Blamed**

Britain's trade department minister Chris Bryant has confirmed that the UK government was hacked in October, sparking concerns over the country's cybersecurity. The revelation comes after reports emerged of a breach attributed to the Chinese cyber gang, Storm 1849.

Bryant told Times Radio that there had indeed been a hack, but was unable to confirm whether it was directly linked to Chinese operatives or the Chinese state. "I'm not able to say that," he said. "But we're continuing to investigate and I think it's fair to say at this stage that we are fairly confident that there is a low risk of any individual being affected."

The Sun newspaper, which first reported the incident, named Storm 1849 as the group responsible for breaching government systems, potentially compromising tens of thousands of visa details. The Chinese cyber gang has been linked to state-aligned hacking apparatus and accused of targeting politicians and groups critical of the Chinese government.

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

The incident at the Foreign Office follows two major cyber attacks on big British companies this year. In one instance, Jaguar Land Rover was forced to shut down production for five weeks, while Marks & Spencer suspended online orders for six weeks.

When asked for details of the incident, a government spokesperson stated that they had been working to investigate a cyber incident and take the security of their systems and data "extremely seriously".

**Background on Storm 1849**

Storm 1849 has been identified as a China-linked hacking group believed to be part of state-aligned hacking apparatus. The group has been accused of targeting politicians, activists, and organizations critical of the Chinese government.

Experts have warned that the group's activities pose significant threats to global cybersecurity, with the potential for data breaches and espionage on an industrial scale. If confirmed, the breach at the Foreign Office would be one of the most high-profile incidents attributed to Storm 1849 in recent years.

**Response from Government**

Chris Bryant's confirmation of the hack has sparked renewed calls for greater investment in cybersecurity measures across the UK government. The incident has also highlighted concerns over the country's reliance on digital systems and the need for robust defenses against cyber threats.

The Foreign Office and trade department have been working to contain the damage and reassure stakeholders that they are taking all necessary steps to prevent future breaches. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what further measures will be taken to address the UK's cybersecurity vulnerabilities.