Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) support and (b) provide funding for parish and town councils to help them comply with the proposed Protect Duty which would require public venues to protect against the risk of terrorism.

Martyn’s Law, formerly known as the Protect Duty, will be published as a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this Spring. Alongside this, the Home Office will publish an impact assessment and a further, updated, impact assessment will be completed prior to formal introduction of the Bill as parliamentary time allows. The Home Office will also undertake a new burdens assessment and assess any requirements arising from it.

A wealth of support, advice and guidance will be provided for all those captured by Martyn’s Law, should it be passed. This is currently in development and will be published prior to any Royal Assent. ProtectUK has been developed as the new online protective security hub, offering advice and guidance from trusted experts in policing and Counter Terrorism security. The platform is available to industry and the public and will be updated regularly with added information and increased functionality.