The
Government Office for Science has published a major new report aimed at strengthening the resilience of UK supply chains, highlighting the need for industry and policymakers to better understand and prepare for an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
Released on 17 June, Global Supply Chains: A Foresight report on risk and resilience brings together evidence, analysis and long-term thinking to support decision-makers in assessing vulnerabilities and improving preparedness across critical supply networks.
The report underscores the vital role global supply chains play in underpinning the UK’s economic prosperity and national security. However, it warns that recent disruptions — including geopolitical tensions, pandemics and extreme weather events — have exposed significant weaknesses in these systems.
According to the study, risks are no longer isolated events but are becoming more interconnected and harder to predict. In particular, the report points to climate change and shifting geopolitical dynamics as factors likely to intensify future disruption, with risks emerging earlier in supply chains and evolving faster than organisations are currently able to respond.
A central theme of the report is the need to rethink how supply chains are understood. Rather than simple, linear processes, they are described as complex, interconnected networks where vulnerabilities can arise in unexpected areas.
This means that even where a finished product appears secure, hidden dependencies on upstream materials or components can expose businesses to risk. For manufacturers and suppliers, this has clear implications for procurement strategies, inventory planning and risk management.
The report sets out a practical framework designed to help policymakers, analysts and supply chain professionals identify weak points and test assumptions. This includes the use of scenario planning and analytical tools to explore how supply chains may perform under different future conditions.
Such approaches are intended to support more robust, evidence-based decision-making, enabling organisations to build resilience in the face of uncertainty rather than reacting to disruption after it occurs.
For the UK manufacturing sector, the findings reinforce the importance of visibility across supply networks and collaboration with suppliers at all tiers. The report also highlights the need for improved data sharing and better integration between industry and government to anticipate and mitigate disruption.
As supply chains become more globalised and interdependent, the ability to respond quickly to shocks — or adapt ahead of them — is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage.
Chief scientific adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said: “Recent disruptions have shown how complex and interconnected supply chain risks have become. This report helps decision-makers better understand where those risks sit and how they may evolve, supporting more resilient, evidence-based, forward-looking decisions.”
Developed in collaboration with government departments and academic experts, the report forms part of a wider programme of work aimed at strengthening the UK’s economic resilience and safeguarding long-term prosperity.
The full report is available via the Government Office for Science.