Foes of the UK such as President Putin could threaten the country's security by “weaponising immigration flows over borders” and taking new steps to bring instability to this nation, the defence committee warns today in a hard-hitting report.

Using immigration as a weapon is among the ways the UK could be harmed, according to the cross-party group of MPs, who want to involve people from across all of society in strengthening Britain's defences.

The country needs a dedicated “homeland security minister” to coordinate efforts society to protect the nation from attacks, according to the MPs. Schools, businesses and communities have important roles to play in countering cyber-attacks, espionage and sabotage conducted by foes such as Russia.

The MPs are sounding the alarm about “grey zone” attacks, which fall short of all-out war. These are “limitless” – ranging from propaganda and assassinations.

Tan Dhesi, the chairman of the Defence Committee, warned of a host of threats that “bring war to the doorstep” of “each and every one of us”.

He said: “We must now assume that any vulnerability will be exploited against us. The industries and technologies we rely on most are clear targets for hostile states.”

The report states Russia’s track record of attacks signals it “already believes it is in an existential struggle with the West”. It makes the case that a “dedicated homeland security minister would be more likely to drive through the urgent changes required to improve the UK’s current levels of preparedness and resilience”.

The MPs warn the UK’s armed forces have been “underfunded compared to the military tasks that have been demanded of them” since “at least the end of the Cold War”. But they are concerned that as the UK ramps up military spending it will fail allocate sufficient resources to dealing with “grey zone” threats.

Mr Dhesi said: “Our adversaries have purposefully blurred the line between peace and war. Grey zone threats pose a particularly insidious challenge – they unsettle the fabric of our day-to-day lives and undermine our ability to respond.

The committee wants the Ministry of Defence to do "far more" to engage with wider society, including "critical national industries, schools and communities" to "help generate a dialogue around those threats to the UK and build consensus around a common response".

He added: “These attacks do not discriminate; they target the whole of our society and so demand a whole of society response, in which we all must play our part.”

The MPs are pushing for a “shoring up” of Britain’s “digital and cyber skills and protections”. They also warn of the danger of foes cutting “undersea cables and energy pipes” and say the bows of the UK’s new Royal Navy destroyers could be reinforced so these can operate more effectively in the arctic.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “National security is the foundation of the Government’s plan for change, and the Strategic Defence Review has directly addressed many of the issues covered in this report by investing in new capabilities to help protect our national infrastructure and secure our cyberspace.

“Alongside NATO, we are strengthening our response to ensure ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near UK offshore infrastructure, harnessing and investing in new technologies like AI and uncrewed submarines.

“A new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command will also be established to put the UK at the forefront of cyber operations and harness the Armed Forces’ expertise in electromagnetic warfare.”