Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he plans to respond to the call for evidence relating to potential regulations under the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill 2023.

The Government supported the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which gained Royal Assent on 20 July 2023. The Act will require immobilisers and forensic marking to be fitted as standard to specified new agricultural equipment such as All-Terrain Vehicles and quad bikes. The Act also provides a power for the Secretary of State to extend requirements to other equipment designed for use in agricultural or commercial activities, via secondary legislation.

A call for evidence was published last summer, seeking views on the details needed for the secondary legislation, targeted at those who may be affected by proposals, including the agricultural and construction sectors, manufacturers, dealers, retailers, tradespeople and law enforcement.

Over 200 responses to the call for evidence were received, and we have further engaged with manufacturers and retailers to discuss responses in detail. I am carefully considering responses before publishing the Government response.