Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock has announced that the UK and Israel will work together to tackle cyber security attacks on their national institutions.

During a visit to Israel today, Mr Hancock, who was joined by British business executives on the delegation, said: "I welcome this opportunity to forge even closer links in the field of cyber security with our Israeli partners.”

He added: “The UK’s world class companies and universities combined with Israel’s cutting edge technology and entrepreneurial culture is an unbeatable combination."

The business delegation was led by the British embassy’s UK Israel Tech Hub.

Mr Hancock is set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem tomorrow.

A spokeswoman confirmed that he had already held talks with business leaders and local government officials in Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva and Jerusalem.

She also confirmed that Mr Hancock had launched a programme to promote academic collaboration in the field of cyber security between the UK and Israel.

As a result, this summer researchers from both countries will meet to “inform research on key aspects of cyber security and help to mitigate vulnerabilities,” she said.