Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their proposed Economic Crime Bill will make it an offence to (1) undertake, or (2) knowingly participate in, Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).

Building on the recently enacted Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will bear down on kleptocrats, criminals and terrorists who abuse our financial system, strengthening the UK's reputation as a place where legitimate business can thrive while driving dirty money out of the UK. It will include reform of Companies House, reforms to prevent abuse of limited partnerships, additional powers to seize suspect cryptoassets more quickly and easily, and reforms to give businesses more confidence to share information in order to tackle money laundering and other economic crime.

My right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister, is giving Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (‘SLAPPs’) and libel reform in UK courts urgent consideration in light of reports that Russia and its allies may be funding litigation against free speech in the UK.

An urgent call for evidence was launched in response to the challenges presented by the increasing use of SLAPPs – Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

The call for evidence set out options for possible reforms and sought views on those proposals. It also invited those who have been subject to SLAPPs or who have an interest to share their experiences and the impact on them.

The call for evidence closed on 19 May and the Ministry of Justice, working with several other Government departments and regulators, are considering the options for reform. In doing so we are committed to a robust defence of transparency, the rule of law and freedom of speech.