The announcement supports government plans to digitise public services.

A new Software Security Ambassador Scheme will now help drive adoption of the Software Security Code of Practice - a voluntary project designed to reduce software supply chain attacks and disruption.

Digital Government Minister Ian Murray said: "Cyber-attacks can take vital public services offline in minutes – disrupting our digital services and our very way of life.  

"This plan sets a new bar to bolster the defences of our public sector, putting cyber-criminals on warning that we are going further and faster to protect the UK’s businesses and public services alike.

"This is how we keep people safe, services running, and build a government the public can trust in the digital age."