The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill 2024-25

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill 2024-25 was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 September 2024.

The bill would implement a commitment in the 2024 Labour Party manifesto (pdf) to strengthen the security of public events and venues. Known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in recognition of the campaign led by the mother of one of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombings, it would require those responsible for publicly accessible venues to take steps to reduce the threat to the public from terrorist attack.

The bill follows a draft bill introduced by the previous government which underwent pre-legislative scrutiny by the Home Affairs Committee. The Committee was supportive of the policy aims of the draft bill but recommended a number of significant changes.

There was then a further consultation to help refine the proposals.

What would the bill do?

The bill would introduce requirements on those responsible for certain publicly accessible premises and events to implement measures to protect against terrorist attacks.

It would apply to certain premises in connection with their use, such as shops, nightclubs and railway stations and divides them into standard duty and enhanced duty premises.

The legislation would apply across the UK as national security is reserved to the UK parliament under devolution legislation.

Standard duty premises

Standard duty premises would be premises where it would be reasonable to expect that from time to time 200 or more people may be present in connection with one of the uses listed in schedule 1. A person responsible for standard duty premises would be required to put in place public protection measures to reduce the risk of physical harm to individuals in the event of an act of terrorism on or near the premises. These would include evacuation procedures and the providing information.

Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events

Enhanced duty premises would be those where it would be reasonable to expect 800 or more people to be present from time to time in connection with one of the listed uses.

Qualifying events would be ticketed or otherwise restricted events attended by 800 or more people.

Additional requirements would be placed on persons responsible for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism. These would include monitoring the premises or event and surrounding area and documenting compliance with the requirements.

Regulation: the Security Industry Authority

The bill would the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulatory oversight with powers to assess compliance with requirements and take enforcement action as necessary.

The SIA would have powers to issue notices requiring compliance, restricting the use of venues in the case of non-compliance, and financial penalties.

The bill would also create criminal offences for persistent failure to comply.

How does it differ from the draft bill?

The bill differs from the draft bill in certain key respects:

• The threshold for a standard duty premises has increased from 100 to 200. This is now defined by reference to the number of people it might be reasonable to expect to attend, rather than potential capacity

• Responsible persons are only expected to take measures that are ‘reasonably practicable’

• There is no longer an expectation that venues undertake standardised training

• The Security Industry Authority is established as the regulator. This was left open in the draft bill

• Education settings and places of worship are classified as standard duty premises regardless of capacity.

Why is the Government legislating?

Following a series of fatal terrorist attacks in 2017, the Intelligence and Security Committee recommended (pdf) that the Government should clarify legal responsibilities relating to protective measures.

The public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing, in which 22 people were killed, also recommended the introduction of a statutory ‘Protect duty’.

The threat level from terrorism in the UK is currently substantial, meaning an attack is likely. The 2023 CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy summarised the current threat facing the UK as ‘enduring and evolving’, with a domestic threat which ‘is less predictable and harder to detect and investigate’.

Progress of the bill

The bill had its second reading on 14 October 2024 and received cross party support.

It was considered by a Public Bill Committee over four sessions on 29 and 31 October.

A number of government amendments were made to the bill in committee, which were largely technical or clarificatory.

The opposition tabled amendments aimed at ensuring that the bill would not overburden individuals or businesses, and at reviewing the role of the SIA. None were pressed to a division.

Further reading

Bill documents, including the explanatory notes, the impact assessment, the delegated powers memorandum, and the human rights memorandum are available on the bill pages on parliament.uk.

The Home Office has published a series of eight factsheets on the bill .

There is a commons library briefing on the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.

Home Affairs Select Committee report on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill.