Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill
Home Affairs Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Home Affairs Committee is undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill. It examines the adequacy of the policy objectives and key provisions. Y ou can read the Draft Bill here .
15
Recommendations
20
Conclusions
1
Report
2
Oral sessions
2
Events
Activity timeline 5 events
27 Jul
2023
2023
Report published
20 Jun
2023
2023
Oral evidence
20 Jun
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
6 Jun
2023
2023
Oral evidence
6 Jun
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
20 Jun 2023
View on parliament.uk
Jonathan Hall · Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation
Matt Jukes · Metropolitan Police Service
Shaun Hipgrave · Home Office
Shaun Kennedy · Securitas
The Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MBE VR MP · Home Office
6 Jun 2023
View on parliament.uk
Councillor Clive Woodbridge · Local Government Association
Figen Murray OBE
Jane Gratton · British Chambers of Commerce
Mark Gardner · Community Security Trust
Mike Kill · Night Time Industries Association
Neil Sharpley · Federation of Small Businesses
Nick Aldworth · Risk to Resolution Ltd
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill | HC 1359 | 27 Jul 2023 | 35 | Overdue |
Recommendations & Conclusions
35 results
1
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Terrorism Bill's proportionality concerning smaller premises lacks sufficient justification and effectiveness.
We welcome the Government’s overall intention behind the Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, but have serious concerns about its proportionality, especially in relation to its impact on smaller premises, within the standard tier, where there is a lack of …
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Home Office
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2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Bill's impact assessment deemed "not fit for purpose" for small venues.
We agree with the Regulatory Policy Committee’s (RPC) rating of the Government’s impact assessment of the Draft Bill as “not fit for purpose”. We draw this conclusion as the RPC does, because of the absence of evidence “that the proposal …
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Home Office
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3
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Clarify the Draft Bill's overall purpose and objectives for all captured premises.
The overall objective of the Draft Bill remains opaque. We agree with the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation that the overall purpose of the Bill must be made clear, especially to those venues/premises that will be captured by the duties …
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Home Office
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4
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Consistently set out the Draft Bill's purpose in all official documents and guidance.
The Draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, the explanatory notes to the Bill and all guidance related to the Bill must clearly, and consistently, set out what the purpose of the Bill is.
Home Office
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5
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Terrorism Bill would not have prevented most recent UK terrorist attacks.
We are concerned to learn that the Draft Bill would not have made a difference to the vast majority of the terrorist attacks that have happened in the UK in recent years. This suggests that the Draft Bill will not achieve some of its main objectives.
Home Office
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6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Modify Draft Bill to ensure effectiveness against future terrorist attacks based on past incidents.
If the Bill is to proceed, the Government must consider what changes could be made to the Draft Bill that would have made it effective should it have existed at the time of recent terrorist attacks.
Home Office
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7
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Launch targeted communications campaign to raise awareness of Draft Bill duties for premises.
In order for venues/premises captured by the Draft Bill to prepare for the requirements that will be imposed on them through the Draft Bill, the Home Office must undertake a targeted communications campaign to raise awareness of the Draft Bill …
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Home Office
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8
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Estimated costs for premises implementing Draft Bill proposals are disproportionate and unclear.
The cost on standard and enhanced tier premises of implementing these proposals, estimated by the Government, is disproportionate to the level of threat, particularly Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill 27 for those small and medium-sized premises captured in the …
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Home Office
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9
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Publish criteria used for calculating estimated implementation costs for qualifying premises.
The Home Office should publish the criteria used to calculate the estimated cost to qualifying premises to help premises and Parliament understand how those figures were arrived at.
Home Office
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10
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Bill fails to account for diverse and regional terrorism threats across the UK.
The threat of terrorism and the types of terrorist attacks across the United Kingdom vary widely. The fact that attacks that have happened in parts of the UK, such as Scotland, would not fall in scope of the Draft Bill …
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Home Office
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11
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Government lacks rationale for capacity thresholds, especially concerning small and community premises.
The Government has not provided a rationale or any evidence for why capacity figures of 100 and 800 for standard and enhanced tier premises have been chosen, and why certain types of premises are excluded entirely. We wholly agree that …
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Home Office
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12
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Implement the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill in stages, beginning with enhanced tier premises.
We agree with the Local Government Association that the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill should be implemented in stages, starting with enhanced tier premises.
Home Office
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13
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Conduct annual reviews and research on terrorism threats for small business legislative extension.
A review should be conducted yearly and every time there is a terrorist attack to assess how well the legislation has worked in protecting against, preparing for and dealing with the attack. Research should also be undertaken on the threat …
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Home Office
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14
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Consider necessary financial assistance for small and micro-businesses in the enhanced tier.
The Government should consider what financial assistance may be necessary to support small and micro-businesses whose premises fall within the enhanced tier before introducing the Draft Bill to Parliament.
Home Office
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15
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Expand Draft Bill scope to include large, free, publicly accessible outdoor events.
All publicly accessible outdoor events are a prime target for terrorists, whether or not express permission is needed to enter. The Government should consider expanding the scope of the Draft Bill to include those outdoor events with a capacity of …
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Home Office
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16
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Agreement with scope of Bill's terrorism protection requirements for public premises and events.
In principle, we agree with the scope of the requirements set out in the Bill for qualifying public premises and qualifying public events, including the provision of terrorism protection training.
Home Office
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17
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Prescribe standards for terrorism protection training and address impact on voluntary organisations.
However, those duties must co-exist effectively with existing duties and practices, and must be the responsibility of the right people. The precise details of those duties must also be meaningful as well as practicable. In particular, any training that is …
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Home Office
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18
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Bill lacks crucial details on regulator's identity, governance, and accountability.
The regulator will be a key factor in determining the success of the Draft Bill’s measures. It will have extensive powers and oversee a regulatory framework estimated to cost billions of pounds. However, the Draft Bill is currently incomplete on …
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Home Office
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19
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Develop concrete proposals for regulator and amend Draft Bill before introduction.
The Government should develop concrete proposals on the regulator within the next two months and amend the Draft Bill before introducing the Bill to the House.
Home Office
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20
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Standard of proof for regulator's contravention and restriction notices must be proportionate.
The regulator will have the power to issue contravention and restriction notices on premises, which may have serious consequences. This may well be justified in certain circumstances given the risks involved. However, it is important that the standard of proof …
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Home Office
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21
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Regulator's extensive investigatory and enforcement powers require proportionate use.
The regulator’s investigatory and enforcement powers are potentially extensive and intrusive. The provision of these powers may be necessary, but they must be used in a proportionate manner.
Home Office
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22
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Review the operation of regulator's investigatory and enforcement powers, ensuring justified thresholds.
The Government should review the operation of the investigatory and enforcement powers and ensure the thresholds for using them, and the manner in which they may be used, are justified accordingly. (Paragraph 72) Other considerations
Home Office
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23
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Immediate medical assistance from venue staff is crucial after a terrorist attack.
The way in which first responders intervene after a terrorist attack could be the difference between life and death. Those working at the venues or premises captured Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill 29 by the Draft Bill will most …
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Home Office
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24
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Include provisions in Draft Bill for mandatory life-saving training and bandage kits for staff.
The Home Office should include a provision in the Draft Bill to provide mandatory life-saving training to staff to the premises captured by the Bill. The Home Office should also consider providing for mandatory bandage kits on those premises.
Home Office
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25
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Publicly accessible new builds should incorporate security considerations into their design.
We agree that the Draft Terrorism Bill could be strengthened by making it a requirement for publicly accessible new builds to consider security in the design of the building.
Home Office
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26
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Include provisions in Bill requiring enhanced tier premises to consider security in building design.
The Government should include provision in the Bill to require new publicly accessible buildings, which would fall within the category of enhanced tier premises, to consider security in the design of the building.
Home Office
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27
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
UK security industry's low training entry thresholds are unacceptable and concerning.
We are gravely concerned to hear that the UK security industry has one of the lowest entry thresholds in Europe for training. This is simply unacceptable. If the Government is serious about protecting the public from terrorist attacks, improving the …
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Home Office
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28
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Work with Security Industry Authority to urgently standardise and improve security guard training across UK.
Independently of the Draft Bill, the Government must work with the Security Industry Authority to look to urgently standardise and improve training for security guards across the UK.
Home Office
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29
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Draft Bill misses opportunity to address concerns about security officer education and procurement.
Security at publicly accessible venues is vital in preventing and handling a terrorist attack. Yet there are some serious concerns about the education and procurement of security officers that the Draft Bill does not attempt to address, despite the fact …
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Home Office
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30
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Incorporate provisions into Draft Bill for education and procurement of security at enhanced tier premises.
The Government should consider incorporating provisions into the Draft Bill in relation to education and procurement of security at enhanced tier premises and venues.
Home Office
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31
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Take urgent steps to prevent the spread of false information among premises captured by the Draft Bill.
The Government must take steps to prevent the spread of false information regarding the Draft Bill amongst premises that would be captured by the Bill, urgently.
Home Office
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32
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Inform premises captured by the Draft Bill about self-styled consultants and official information sources.
Following our recommendation regarding a targeted communications campaign in chapter 1, the Government should use this campaign to ensure those premises captured by the Draft Bill are aware of these self-styled consultants and ensure premises know where they can get …
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Home Office
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33
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Standardise risk assessments under the Draft Bill to prevent varying standards across venues.
We agree that there should be a standard on the risk assessment provided for in the Draft Bill, in order to prevent different standards of risk assessment taking place across those venues and premises captured by the legislation. (Paragraph 93) …
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Home Office
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34
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Issue all Draft Bill guidance and establish a feedback mechanism for affected premises.
The Government must issue all draft guidance accompanying the Draft Bill by the end of August 2023. There should be an opportunity for those premises captured by the Draft Bill and who will be relying on the guidance to feed …
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Home Office
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35
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Terrorism (Protect…
Incorporate proposed textual changes from the report's Annex into the forthcoming Bill.
We recommend that the Government consider incorporating proposed textual changes set out in the Annex to this report into any Bill it presents to the House during the next Session of Parliament. (Paragraph 98) Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill …
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Home Office
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