Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Mosley Excerpts

Monday 6th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Jonathan Lord (Woking) (Con)]

12. What methodology her Department follows to determine the nature of security threats to the UK.

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

13. What methodology her Department follows to determine the nature of security threats to the UK.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

As part of the Government’s national security strategy, we conducted a national security risk assessment—the first time that a Government have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of all national security risks to the UK. The most important risks were then placed into three tiers to inform the strategic defence and security review.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mrs May]

My hon. Friend also makes an extremely important point about security. We must remember the importance of prevention as well as dealing with security threats as they arise. We are reviewing the Prevent programme, which was initiated by the previous Government, with a view to separating more clearly its counter-terrorism work from the integration or participation-in-society work of the Department for Communities and Local Government. In that work, we are also looking at radicalisation issues so that we can ensure that our programmes are effective.

[Stephen Mosley]

What action is my right hon. Friend taking to ensure the security of the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012?

[Mrs May]

The Home Office’s Olympic and Paralympic safety and security strategy, run by the police, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority and other partners, provides a framework for projects to safeguard and secure London 2012. The Minister for Security and Counter-Terrorism has conducted an audit and review of Olympic security planning, which concluded that that work is well placed. There is of course more work to be done, but an effective foundation has already been established, and we are absolutely sure that there is sufficient funding to deliver a safe and secure Olympic games in 2012. We have protected the Olympic security budget, and counter-terrorism policing budgets will stay flat in cash terms.