Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Police and Crime Commissioners on the impact of the proscription of Palestine Action on police (a) budgets and (b) operations.

Policing is operationally independent and decisions as to spending will be taken by Chief Constables and PCCs at a local level. The Home Office does not hold figures on the cost to the public purse of specific protests or enforcement of specific laws.

The decision to proscribe Palestine Action was taken following an escalating campaign by the organisation involving not just sustained criminal damage, including to Britain’s national security infrastructure, but also intimidation, alleged violence and serious injuries to individuals.

It is a criminal offence to express support for a proscribed organisation. This Government has been and will continue to be clear about the importance of upholding the rule of law