Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what resources they have allocated to their Defending Democracy Programme; which department is leading the programme; and which stakeholders they are engaging.

The Defending Democracy Programme is led by and coordinated through the Cabinet Office, with input from a number of other departments. The programme has been set up to:

• Protect and secure UK democratic processes, systems and institutions from interference, including from cyber, personnel and physical threats;

• Strengthen the integrity of UK elections;

• Encourage Respect for open, fair and safe democratic participation;

• Promote fact-based and open discourse, including online.

The programme draws together expertise and ongoing work from across Government.