Letter to the Minister for Security regarding the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, dated 10 November 2023, expressing concern about ongoing delays.

We previously reported on the Home Affairs Select Committee's Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill that was very critical of the Bill.  It said:

"Onerous new anti-terror regulations could place small businesses and voluntary organisations at risk of closure but fail to make a difference to public safety, the Home Affairs Committee has warned. Following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, the Committee calls on the Government to ensure safety measures are based on risk and not on the size of a venue."

The Government announced the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill in the most recent King's speech, but only committed to introducing the Bill "when Parliamentary time allows".  In response, Dame Diana Johnson MP wrote to the Minister for Security seeking clarification on:

• When the consultation on a revised approach to the standard tier will open, and how long will it be open for?
• When can we expect the Bill to be formally introduced to Parliament?
• When will the Committee receive a Government response to its report on the Draft Bill, which is nearly two months overdue.