Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the safety of Hong Kongers in the UK experiencing (a) bounties, (b) sanctions and (c) other forms of transnational repression.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is of the upmost importance. The UK will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong. Where we identify individuals at heightened risk, we are front footed in deploying protective security guidance and other measures as appropriate

We have a broad suite of powers available to counter transnational repression. This includes measures in the National Security Act 2023 which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts.

On 4 March, I announced a new package of training for frontline police officers and staff to increase their understanding of foreign state threats. This training will improve law enforcement’s ability to detect and investigate incidents which may be state directed.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce is also reviewing the UK’s existing response to transnational repression to ensure it is robust and joined across government and law enforcement.