Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their estimate of the number of potentially violent jihadists living in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Bates
It is a long standing UK Government policy not to comment on any intelligence matters or alleged activities conducted by the Security and Intelligence Agencies. This includes any action taken to protect the UK from terrorist plots or planned attacks. Observing this principle is vital to the protection of national security and the prevention of crime. The Security and Intelligence Agencies work tirelessly to protect the British public from terrorism. People who commit, plan and support acts of terror in the UK will be prosecuted by the UK authorities.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the threat to the personal safety of British citizens from Russia.
Answered by Lord Bates
The Government keeps threats to our national security, including the safety and security of British citizens, under close review. Where there is a credible threat, the police and the intelligence agencies will take appropriate steps to manage that threat. British travellers to Russia should check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Travel Advice for current guidance available at:
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the threat to the personal safety of British citizens from ISIL.
Answered by Lord Bates
The threat level from international terrorism for the UK, which is set independently by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, is currently assessed as SEVERE. This means that an attack is highly likely. The threat from terrorist groups such as ISIL is an important component of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice to British citizens travelling overseas.
The Government recognises that ISIL poses a significant threat to the UK and its interests. In September 2014 the Prime Minister announced a wide range of actions to combat ISIL, and in November 2014 he confirmed that an additional £130 million will be made available over the next two years to counter terrorism. The new Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which came into force in February, provides further powers and capabilities to help tackle the threats emanating from Syria and Iraq.