Cyber-security and UK Democracy

Debate between Simon Hoare and Oliver Dowden

Monday 25th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Simon Hoare)]

You are confusing shouting with robustness.

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I will answer the question slightly less aggressively than how it was put; I will make my point in my own way. First, as the Electoral Commission said in its statement, the data contained in electoral registers is limited, and much of it is already in the public domain. The Electoral Commission had already declared the fact of the attack. What is different today is that, contrary to some speculation at the time, we are announcing that it was in relation to Chinese-related actors. That is what has changed. On our overall approach, I have set out a direction. These are grave threats, which we take seriously. We are taking proportionate action now, and we will continue to take steps as required.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Hoare and Oliver Dowden

Wednesday 28th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hoare (North Dorset) (Con)]

T2. Perhaps an apt question for Spy Wednesday is: what more can be done to ensure cyber-security across our public sector?

[Oliver Dowden]

My hon. Friend raises a very important point. Cyber-security is a major priority for the whole of this Government, and our world-leading national cyber security strategy is supported by almost £2 billion of investment. It sets out measures to ensure that the public sector, and the wider economy, is cyber-secure.