Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 April 2025.

Police chiefs will automatically sack officers who fail background checks, allowing them to root out those who are unfit to serve and clean up their forces.

As part of major government reforms to improve confidence in policing, the new measures laid in Parliament today mean that passing background checks will become a legal requirement for all serving officers.

It will also create a new process to enable forces to remove officers who are unable to meet the vetting requirement, strengthening the ability of police chiefs to boost standards in their force and ensuring their officers can have confidence in the colleagues they work alongside.

This will help ensure that the police have the confidence of the communities they serve, supporting the government’s work to make our streets safer across the country as part of the Plan for Change.

It is one of just many steps being taken by the government to take on the obstacles in the way of driving up standards in policing. Later in the year, further measures will be brought in to strengthen vetting national standards and ensure every force follows them, introduce stronger requirements to suspend officers under investigation for violence against women and girls and ensure officers convicted of certain criminal offences are automatically found to have committed gross misconduct.

Officers can fail vetting for a number of reasons, including crimes like domestic and sexual abuse. While there are processes already in place for forces to deal with allegations of misconduct, failing vetting alone might not currently be enough to dismiss them. Recent legal challenges have brought to light the difficulty forces can have in removing officers who cannot hold vetting and are not fit to protect the public.

It can even mean they stay in the force on full pay, despite not being fit to be in a public-facing role. The government will not stand for this injustice, which erodes confidence in policing. That is why we are taking action to ensure officers face the full accountability the public expects.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

In recent years, serious cases which have badly failed all proper policing standards have damaged public trust in the officers who are supposed to protect them, and undermined the majority of brave, committed officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe.

It is simply not acceptable that officers who are clearly unfit to serve or pose a risk to their colleagues cannot be removed. That’s why these new rules are essential and it is why this government has been working closely with forces to overcome these barriers to restore confidence in policing. Our Plan for Change is to rebuild standards and trust – officers of only the highest standards, with the tools and backing they need to do everything in their legal power to protect our neighbourhoods.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vetting, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, said:

Police officers and staff should always be held to the highest standards and we must ensure that only those who are suitable to wear the uniform enter, and remain in policing.

Alongside delivering vetting reform, we are working hard to build a culture where the public and colleagues feel empowered to report concerns and know that those concerns will be addressed and dealt with accordingly.

We welcome the announcement today of statutory vetting regulations, which provide clear routes for action to remove individuals who fall below the high standards the public and our workforce rightly expect and deserve.

Campaigner for SecureLife and the advocate for Raneem’s Law, Nour Norris said:

SecureLife has campaigned for years to bring about a new law that safeguards victims, reforms the police, and evolves a system that, for too long protected the wrong people. The new police vetting reform to boost officer standards is a vital action, one we’ve called for time and again.

These reforms are not just progress, they are personal. They are part of what we at SecureLife have fought for, ever since my sister Khaola and my niece Raneem were taken from us. They were brave, they asked for help, and they were failed by a system that allowed officers who ignored their cries to remain in uniform. That failure was fatal.

From 14 May, for the first time, officers who cannot pass vetting, many for serious issues like domestic and sexual abuse, can finally be removed. This is a major step toward the justice and protection victims deserve.

The introduction of Raneem’s Law alongside these measures sends a clear message: we will no longer tolerate silence, excuses, or inaction. The public deserves to trust the police, victims deserve to be protected, and officers must be held to the highest standard.

Because a strong country needs a stronger force, one built on integrity, accountability, and the courage to change.

This is for Raneem and Khaola. Two souls who should still be here. Their voices were silenced, but through these reforms, their legacy will speak for generations to come.

The strengthened police dismissal system, which will be in force from 14 May, comes alongside wider progress the government is making in reforming the systems that hold police officers to account.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 April 2025.

A successful grassroots fund has been extended after reaching 50,000 people in first year. Applications are now open for grants between £5,000 and £10,000.

Windrush scandal victims yet to claim compensation are being encouraged to come forward as part of a grassroots scheme extended by the Home Office today.

The government is making a further £150,000 available to the Community Engagement Fund (CEF), which was set up to raise awareness of the Windrush compensation and documentation scheme.

The successful first round of funding helped grassroots organisations reach more than 50,000 people who may be entitled to claim, while revealing barriers preventing victims from coming forward.

Local groups can now apply for grants of £5,000 to £10,000 to deliver projects that address these barriers, particularly the widespread misconception that Windrush schemes only apply to Caribbean communities.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said:

Windrush victims have waited too long for recognition and redress – with many still not feeling able to come forward to access the compensation they are entitled to.

We need to see this change. By funding trusted grassroots organisations to provide advocacy and support, we want to better reach those who have been wronged but remain unaware of the support available.

This government is determined to deliver on its manifesto commitment that every victim of this scandal receives the justice they deserve.

Insights from the first CEF funding round revealed that while compensation scheme awareness is higher among Caribbean communities, people from other backgrounds have not applied due to confusion about their eligibility or misconceptions about the schemes.

The additional support will be of immense importance to victims. For many, the Home Office Windrush scandal resulted in loss of employment, denial of healthcare, threats of deportation, and in some cases, actual deportation from a country they had every right to call home.

CEF applicants with strong community links will be prioritised. Projects must be completed within the 2025/26 financial year and should focus on:

• raising awareness among non-Caribbean communities and correcting misinformation
• gathering insights on why eligible individuals aren’t applying
• helping potential claimants connect with support services

The CEF complements the recently launched £1.5 million Advocacy Support Fund, which helps organisations provide practical and emotional assistance to victims making compensation claims.

The funds deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to provide additional support and work more closely with affected communities, forming part of the wider Plan for Change to deliver justice for Windrush victims.

The deadline for CEF applications is 4pm on 28 May 2025. Full details are available at the ‘Find a Grant’ portal on GOV.UK.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 April 2025.

Jonathan Fisher KC has begun work on part 2 of his Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences.

Better protections for the British public against fraud, and tougher enforcement against the perpetrators, will be the goals of the first independent review carried out in 40 years into the UK’s fraud laws.

Jonathan Fisher KC has begun work on part 2 of his Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences which marks the first independent review of fraud legislation in the UK since 1986. During this time, the nature and scale of fraud has evolved considerably, with fraud now constituting over 40% of all offences recorded by the Crime Survey for England and Wales.

Where Lord Roskill’s 1986 review focused mostly on the serious fraud committed by corporate entities, the huge increase in fraud offences over the last decade has come at the expense of ordinary consumers and small businesses, targeted by highly organised gangs, many of them based overseas.

The resulting harm to society is severe, with fraud against individuals in England and Wales alone recently estimated to cost more than £6.8 billion every year.

Fraud has also been transformed by the impact of modern technology, with the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create scambots, deepfakes, and websites impersonating established businesses and public authorities. Fraud gangs have the ability to target tens of thousands of Britons every hour through social media, email and telephone, and only need to persuade a small fraction of those individuals to fall for their scams in order to make millions of pounds.

The Home Office will place these emerging threats at the heart of its new, expanded fraud strategy to be published later this year, but it will also be vital to have the independent analysis provided by Jonathan Fisher KC to inform the response required from government, law enforcement and industry. And with international cooperation to disrupt threats a key national security commitment within its Plan for Change, the government is also building a united global response as part of its strategy to tackle fraud.

Part 2 of the Fisher Review will therefore examine the largest challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing criminals committing fraud offences to justice in England and Wales. Specifically, it will consider key issues in each following stage of the fraud life cycle:

• detection and reporting
• disruption
• investigation
• prosecution and offences
• courts
• penalties
• rehabilitation

This follows the publication of part 1 of Jonathan Fisher KC’s review, Disclosure in the Digital Age, which recommended a range of measures to modernise the disclosure system and free up police time, and which is now being taken forward by the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office.

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

Fraud is a crime which can devastate lives, and I am determined to do everything possible to bring these criminals to justice.

I welcome Jonathan Fisher KC’s review which will help us expand our knowledge base about how to better detect, disrupt and deter fraudsters and deliver a swifter justice for the victims, as part of our Plan for Change.

The government is determined to continue our fight against this appalling crime, and I look forward to the outcome of this important review.

Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

Fraud is one of the most pernicious crimes. The criminals driving these schemes are using ever more sophisticated tactics to scam their victims. It is crucial that our criminal justice system keeps pace.

Fraud doesn’t discriminate against age, gender or sex and it leaves victims suffering financial loss and emotional distress. I welcome this independent review of fraud and look forward to considering any findings as part of our Plan for Change.

Independent Review Chair, Jonathan Fisher KC said:

With the advances in digital technology, it has become much easier for fraudsters to avoid detection, and indeed prosecution, outright.

This review aims to scrutinise the main challenges in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting fraud offences, and what can be done to better equip law enforcement to deliver swifter justice for victims.

I am greatly appreciative of the criminal justice system-wide engagement since the launch of this independent review and for the continued encouragement as I turn my focus to examine fraud offences.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 April 2025.

A dedicated community support will deliver justice for victims of the Windrush scandal, ensure they have their voices heard and receive deserved compensation.

Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial support to access the compensation they deserve under a £1.5 million fund launched by the government today.

The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) will provide claimants with dedicated advocates from community organisations to work alongside them throughout the compensation application process.

Many victims have reported that while this process is not legally complex, the emotional toll of revisiting traumatic experiences can make it difficult to navigate alone.

Delivered over the next three years and offered alongside existing support for Windrush Compensation Scheme applicants, the WCASF will break down barriers to justice by ensuring victims’ voices are heard and their experiences fully documented.

The fund delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to provide additional support and work more closely with affected communities and forms part of the wider Plan for Change to deliver justice for Windrush victims.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:

The Home Office Windrush scandal was an appalling injustice that should never have happened. People who had built their lives here and contributed so much to our country were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants in the place they called home.

This £1.5 million fund is a decisive step in our mission to right these wrongs. By providing dedicated advocacy support, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring victims have a voice through every step of the compensation process.

We are determined that Windrush communities will finally receive the recognition and justice they deserve.

Advocates will help applicants gather supporting evidence, provide signposting to additional services, and create a trusted environment so no victim has to face the system by themselves.

The additional support will be of immense importance to victims. For many, the scandal resulted in loss of employment, denial of healthcare, threats of deportation, and in some cases, actual deportation from a country they had every right to call home. These experiences led to severe financial hardship, deteriorating mental health, broken families, and shattered trust in government institutions.

The fund has been shaped by extensive consultation with more than 20 organisations, all serving different segments of the Windrush community.

Advocates funded through this initiative will understand applicants’ cultural background and support them to articulate their stories in a safe environment. It aims to ensure applications fully capture the impact of the scandal on individuals’ lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

Since coming into office, the government has re-established the Windrush Unit to oversee the department’s response to the scandal and embed permanent cultural change across the Home Office – keeping the voices of victims at the heart of all work undertaken to address the scandal.

Recruitment is currently underway for the vital role of Windrush Commissioner, who will represent victims’ views at the highest levels of government and drive lasting change. The appointment is expected by summer 2025.

Virtual information sessions for organisations interested in applying to the WCASF will be held on 14 and 15 April. To attend, you must register via email to WCSAdvocacySupportFund@homeoffice.gov.uk

All applications must be submitted via the Find and Apply Grant portal by 5pm on 9 May 2025.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 April 2025.

3,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and police community support officers will be in post within the next 12 months, the government has confirmed.

The news was announced today by the Prime Minister during a visit to Cambridgeshire, as further detail was made public on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

As part of this, every neighbourhood in England and Wales will have dedicated teams spending their time on the beat, with guaranteed police patrols in town centres and other hotspot areas at peak times such as Friday and Saturday nights.

Communities will also have named, contactable officers to tackle the issues facing their communities.

There will be a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead in every force, working with residents and businesses to develop tailored action plans to tackle antisocial behaviour, which is blighting communities.

These measures will be in place from July, in addition to the new neighbourhood officers who will be in their roles by next April.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will put 13,000 more officers into communities by 2029, an increase of more than 50%. The early focus of the plan will be to establish named local officers, target town centre crime and build back neighbourhood policing.

Under these plans, communities across the country will, for the first time in 15 years, be able to hold forces to account and expect a minimum standard of policing in their area.

The government’s new Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit will ensure police performance is consistently and accurately measured.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 April 2025.

The proposals, which are subject to approval by Parliament, will include the following:

• the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and £57.50 to £61.50 for children
• postal applications will increase from £100 to £107 for adults and £69 to £74 for children
• the fee for a Premium Service (1 day) application made from within in the UK will rise from £207.50 to £222 for adults and £176.50 to £189 for children
• the fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £101 to £108 for adults and £65.50 to £70 for children
• overseas standard paper applications will increase from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children

The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

Customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling.

In 2024, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within 3 weeks.

Passport fees are reviewed in line with HM Treasury guidance.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 April 2025.

The Security Minister encourages candidates to use support available, including dedicated police officers, during the local election campaign to keep them safe.

Safety advice and security support is available to all elected officials and candidates during the local election campaign period, the Security Minister has said as the pre-election period gets underway. He also warned that in the lead up to polling day on 1 May, harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated.

Abuse of candidates and their teams has increased in recent years, notably at last year’s General Election. This has prompted the Security Minister to point to the enhanced measures now in place to keep the risk at this year’s local elections low.

For the first time, dedicated police officers are in place in all forces across the country, offering a specialised network of expertise and support to local election candidates. Under Operation Ford, metropolitan mayors, local councillors, police and crime commissioners, and those standing for election in those roles will have access to Force Elected-Official Advisers (FEOAs) within their local police force who will provide briefings on personal safety throughout the campaign period. FEOAs are responsible for both Operation Bridger (MPs and parliamentary candidates) and Operation Ford.

Now that nominations for candidacy have closed, these advisers are making contact with the returning officers in their region, to encourage them to share contact details of the candidates with FEOAs.

Candidates can also access a range of security advice and guidance online, recently updated ahead of this year’s local election campaign period. Expertise has been provided across the security community from the police, the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre and others, to help candidates implement personal protective security measures.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Our elections remain safe, secure, free and fair – a fact we should be proud of, but can never take for granted. This government has put protecting our national security at the forefront of our Plan for Change and protecting our democratic freedoms is part of this. The harassment and intimidation of candidates and campaigners is completely unacceptable.

To those campaigning now, support is available to maximise your safety whilst you go about campaigning and talking to voters.

My message to those who cross the line from free speech to harassment is simple – it will not be tolerated.

Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali said:

I know from experience candidates can be subject to terrible harassment and intimidation. This is completely unacceptable, and we will not tolerate our democracy being undermined.

We are working with the Electoral Commission, the police and other partners to take concrete action to tackle this behaviour in order to keep candidates safe.

FEOAs are not a route to reporting a crime, and where candidates experience harassment or intimidation and believe there is an immediate threat to their safety, they should call 999. Where the threat is less immediate, they should contact 101 or visit police.uk. The Home Office will remain in contact with FEOAs to ensure they are appropriately supported.

Anyone harassing or intimidating those taking part in our democratic process may be arrested and prosecuted if their activity breaks the law. As chair of the government’s Defending Democracy Taskforce, the Security Minister has written to chief constables across the country to remind them of the wide range of powers they have and urged them not to hesitate using them to maintain order and the safety of candidates.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Policing Elections Deputy Commissioner Nik Adams said:

As with every election, the police’s role is to prevent and detect crime, and enable the democratic process to take place. We take that role very seriously because intimidation of candidates and their supporters has serious implications for individuals and wider democracy.

We want every candidate, and everyone involved in securing the democratic process, to know that we are here to help them and keep them safe.

All candidates will receive security advice and guidance from their local force.  We would encourage candidates to read this guidance and attend security briefings. They should also take the time to introduce themselves to their local force, and ensure they know who their point of contact is. It is also important to take practical steps when campaigning to ensure safety.

There have also been briefings from partners in related fields, such as around personal security, risks that come from social media, and general cyber safety advice. We would encourage candidates to be as proactive when engaging with our partners as much as they would be with the police.

It is also vital that elections are not undermined by criminal practice of other types, such as corruption and fraud, and a national network of trained officers has been established to ensure that forces, working with Action Fraud, are able to respond to such reports robustly and effectively.

National security is the first duty of government and a foundation of the government’s Plan for Change. This includes protecting our democracy from those who wish to undermine it by maintaining the safety and security of our electoral and political processes and those taking part.

The government is determined to crack down on the harassment and intimidation of those participating in our democracy – whether they are an elected representative, candidate, or campaigner; and whether this takes place during or outside of an election campaign. Upon taking office, the Prime Minister gave the Defending Democracy Taskforce a new mandate to coordinate and drive forward government’s response to the full range of threats to our democracy.

As part of this, the Defending Democracy Taskforce is undertaking a review, working across government with the police, parliamentary authorities, and the Electoral Commission to understand the levers to tackle harassment and intimidation and identify any gaps and vulnerabilities in the current processes. It will bring forward recommendations to ministers in due course, to suggest how to further strengthen the security of elected representatives and candidates.

Last week, the Security Minister and Minister for Homelessness and Democracy Rushanara Ali both gave evidence to the Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections. As part of the government’s drive to improve security and reduce the threat, the recommendations made by the conference will be considered thoroughly.

Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, said:

Many candidates are standing in the local elections and campaigning – an essential part of our democracy. Thank you to all those standing. We all want to see a robust and vibrant debate, but far too many are experiencing abuse and intimidation.

The Commission and police have developed guidance to ensure candidates understand the actions and behaviours that cross the line and may constitute a criminal offence – please tell the police if you think that is the case.

Will Fletcher, CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation, said:

Through the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we have highlighted how abuse and intimidation of politicians and candidates negatively affects democracy in the UK. We welcome the progress the government, parliament and other key bodies are making to implement the Commission’s recommendations and create a safer, more respectful politics.

In particular, we welcome the increased support that is now available for local election candidates, and would encourage all candidates to read the updated guidance and engage with their local FEOAs in order to understand how they can stay safe while campaigning.

We all have a responsibility for changing the perception that elected representatives are acceptable targets of abuse and intimidation. We urge all candidates to sign our Civility Pledge in collaboration with Compassion in Politics, as a commitment to running a respectful campaign.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 April 2025.

The Home Secretary announces the first phase of the Southport Inquiry starts today and appoints Rt Hon Sir Adrian Fulford as chair.

The Home Secretary previously announced in January 2025 that an inquiry would be launched following the conviction of the perpetrator of the 2024 Southport attack, to examine what went wrong in this horrific case and how services should respond to fixated youth violence.

Sir Adrian Fulford has been appointed as the chair following consultation with the victims and families of those killed or affected by the attacks and plans to travel to meet them as a first priority.

This follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how this attack happened and to not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

The brutal murder of three young girls: Bebe, Elsie and Alice in Southport was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to their families, and all those affected on that terrible day to quickly understand what went wrong, answer difficult questions and do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again.

The Southport Inquiry will provide insights into any failings that allowed a young man with a previous history of violence, to commit this horrendous attack.

Sir Adrian Fulford will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this role, and I am pleased he has agreed to chair the inquiry.

The inquiry will be statutory. This follows representations made by families and victims of the attack and means the Inquiry has all the necessary legal powers to receive evidence and hear witness testimony effectively.

It will take place in 2 phases. The first will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it. This will include examining an overall timeline of the perpetrator’s history and interactions with various public bodies including criminal justice, education, social care, and healthcare, as well as decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies.

The second is expected to examine the wider issues of children and young people being drawn into extreme violence.

Sir Adrian Fulford will bring an impartial and extensive legal background, particularly on issues relating to policing and the criminal justice system.

He is a retired Lord Justice of Appeal and former judge of the International Criminal Court 2003 to 2012. Previously, he was the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in 2019 and was the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner between 2017 to 2019.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 April 2025.

Martyn’s Law will deliver increased protection by ensuring public premises and events are better prepared in the event of a terrorist attack.

Premises and events will be better prepared to respond to attacks as landmark legislation known as Martyn’s Law gained Royal Assent and became law today (Thursday 3 April).

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will require public premises where 200 or more individuals may be present, to be better prepared and have plans in place to keep people safe in the event of an attack.

Larger premises and events where 800 or more people will be present will be required to take further steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism – such as having CCTV, bag search policies or vehicle checks where appropriate.

‘Martyn’s Law’ is named in tribute to Martyn Hett who was tragically killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

It delivers on the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, who has been the driving force in campaigning for this legislation in her son’s memory, that he would bring in this law.

The Prime Minister invited Figen Murray into Downing Street today to mark this landmark moment and to express the debt of gratitude the nation has for her selfless work to turn such unimaginable pain into a lasting legacy for son Martyn.

The government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and this Act delivers a manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events and venues.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

Today is a landmark moment for our security as my government delivers on its promise to introduce Martyn’s Law and better protect the public from terrorism.

Figen’s courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn’s Law means her son’s legacy will live on forever.

Security is the foundation of our Plan for Change and the first duty of any government. Martyn’s Law will ensure everyone can enjoy public events more safely and ensure venues across the country have clear, practical measures in place to protect people.

Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:

My son Martyn Hett was murdered alongside 21 innocent victims in the Manchester Arena terror attack on 22 May 2017, and whilst nothing will bring Martyn back, I am determined to ensure nobody endures what my family has experienced.

For the last 6 years I have campaigned to introduce measures that will improve security at public venues and how they respond to a terror attack – Martyn’s Law.

I am grateful to the Prime Minister, the Security Minister and Lord Hanson for how quickly they’ve progressed Martyn’s Law through parliament. But this would not have happened without the tireless support of my co-campaigners Nick Aldworth, Brendan Cox, Nathan Emmerich, my husband Stuart, and my children.

Over the implementation period it is vital that the government and Security Industry Authority provide all that is necessary for publicly accessible locations to implement Martyn’s Law.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Martyn’s Law will significantly strengthen public safety across our country, I’d like to thank Figen Murray for her tireless work to make this law a reality.

This government is securing Britain’s future through the Plan for Change and, as the eighth anniversary of the attack approaches, this new law delivers upon the lessons from the Manchester Arena Inquiry to keep people safe.

CTP Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Jon Savell, said:

Martyn’s Law will ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. We will continue to work with businesses and with the government to make sure premises have the support they need to prepare for the implementation of the act.

Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for the introduction of this legislation and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that it has achieved Royal Assent.

Mike Kill CEO of the Night Time Industries Association

The passing of Martyn’s Law into legislation is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to public safety. This law will ensure that venues and events across the UK take appropriate and proportionate steps to protect the public from the evolving threat of terrorism. The NTIA has long supported measures that enhance security while remaining practical for businesses to implement.

We appreciate the government’s recognition of the challenges businesses face and the commitment to a 24-month implementation period, allowing time for preparation and adaptation. As an industry we will continue working closely with the Home Office, the SIA, and key stakeholders to provide clear guidance and support. Ensuring the safety of our night-time economy and public spaces remains our priority, and we fully support this crucial legislation.

Security Minster, Dan Jarvis, said:

I am proud that we have delivered Martyn’s Law as part of our commitment to strengthen the security at public events and venues.

I would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, who has been nothing short of inspirational in her campaign for this legislation and a driving force in making it happen.

Giles Smith, Chief Executive of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) said:

The SGSA welcomes the passing of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) 2025 legislation.

Providing a safe, welcoming environment for fans is the SGSA’s top priority and we support the objectives of Martyn’s Law.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 April 2025.

Greater clarity and accountability will be brought to fire and building safety from the transfer of Ministerial responsibility from the Home Office to MHCLG.

Bringing these responsibilities together will strengthen coordination, improve policy implementation, and reinforce the government’s commitment to making homes, buildings and communities safer.

The change delivers on a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report, which advised that fire and building safety should be overseen by a single department.

The Minister for Building Safety and Local Growth who will be taking on responsibility for fire functions Alex Norris said:

“Ensuring the safety of people in their homes and communities is a top priority for this government. By bringing all fire and building safety responsibilities under one department, we are reinforcing accountability, improving coordination, and taking decisive action to protect lives.

“I would like to thank Dame Diana Johnson for her work in this important area. I look forward to working with fire and rescue services and key stakeholders to implement the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations and drive forward the reforms needed to keep people safe.

“This is a significant step in delivering meaningful change, making our buildings safer, and strengthening our country’s resilience for the future.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:

“It has been an honour and privilege to serve as Minister for Fire.

“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the brave firefighters in our fire and rescue services, who selflessly dedicate themselves to protecting the public from fire every day.

“I would also like to thank the government officials and stakeholders from across the sector I have worked with over the past nine months. Their drive to make the sector stronger has been invaluable and I am certain my good friend Alex Norris will also benefit from their advice.”

Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report on 4 September 2024, the Prime Minister acknowledged the failings that led to the tragedy and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the necessary reforms. This transfer of Ministerial responsibility for all fire functions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government represents an important part of this work, and the government will continue to drive forward the necessary reforms to make sure a tragedy like Grenfell can never happen again.

Notes to editors:

• The Home Office will retain management of the Airwave Service Contract on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and will continue to oversee the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).