The Putin Tax
The Putin Tax: Graeme Downie MP
Russian hostile activity against the United Kingdom imposes a significant economic burden that is rarely measured and poorly understood.
This report introduces the concept of the “Putin Tax” : the cost borne by British taxpayers, businesses and public services as a result of Russian cyber-attacks, sabotage, critical infrastructure threats and other forms of hostile state-activity.
The evidence shows:
- £2bn-£2.5bn estimated annual cost of the “Putin Tax” to the United Kingdom.
- 300+ Russia-linked cyber incidents affecting UK companies identified since 2022.
- 75% of significant cyber incidents affecting critical national infrastructure linked to hostile states.
- There is a 5% chance that the UK will experience a single attack by a hostile power that would cost a UK company £3.3 billion, over 1.5 times the cost of the JLR attack.
- £250-£500 million annual economic exposure from damage to subsea communication cables.
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