Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the National Association of Local Councils on the potential impact of introducing a Protect Duty which requires public venues to protect against the risk of terrorism on parish and town councils.

Martyn’s Law, formerly known as the Protect Duty, will be published as a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this Spring. During the development of this Bill, extensive engagement across all sectors including Local Authorities has taken place.

The Protect Duty consultation received 2,755 responses, during which the Home Office held over 80 engagement events. More recently, a webinar on Martyn’s Law geared specifically towards the public sector was attended by over 2000 individuals, the majority from Local Authorities. Engagement will continue throughout pre-legislative scrutiny and beyond.