Ministers are preparing for a new pandemic that could kill 840,000 people after sweeping through half the population.

The worst case scenario for a deadly infection to hit the UK after spreading across the globe would also leave around 1.3 million Britons needing hospital treatment.

Experts expect a respiratory disease to be the most likely next health emergency but the government continues to plan for a range of pandemic scenarios, including illnesses transmitted by blood or touch.

The details are contained in the latest risk register of the 89 key threats to Britain’s security.

Vladimir Putin’s ability to hold the world to “ransom” over energy supplies is included.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has declassified some information so the country can be “ready for anything”.

He published the register ahead of a visit to Hartlepool, where a new wind farm at Dogger Bank is being launched.

READ MORE: Oliver Dowden in the hot seat as Rishi Sunak chills out

Some 277 turbines capable of powering up to six million homes will eventually be installed there.

Mr Dowden, who is running the country while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is on holiday, said: “This is the most comprehensive risk assessment we’ve ever published, so that government and our partners can put robust plans in place.

“One of those rising risks is energy security.

“We’ve installed the first turbine at the future world’s largest offshore windfarm, which will provide secure, low-cost and clean energy for the British people, enabling us to stand up to Putin’s energy ransom.”

The list also includes the use of drones to disrupt the running of airports and attacks on undersea telecoms cables, as well as threats from terrorism, cyber attacks, rail disasters, environmental hazards and pandemics.

Matt Collins, Deputy National Security Advisor, said the report “offers even more detail on the potential scenarios, response and recovery options”.

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