Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to establish an official agency before the next general election to expose and refute lies and misinformation, spread through social media and other means from Russia or other countries; and whether they intend to discuss any such plans with other European states and the EU to urge them to take similar action.

The Government is working closely with industry, civil society and international partners to do what is necessary to safeguard against the use of online disinformation to undermine our democratic values and processes. Ahead of the European Parliamentary elections, the Government worked to enhance coordination and information sharing across HMG to ensure an effective response in the event of a significant disinformation threat.

We have seen no evidence of successful interference in UK democratic processes, but we are not complacent. We are at the forefront of a growing international consensus on the need to take action against disinformation, whatever its source or intent. We are working with international partners, including in the EU, to create a sustained platform for international cooperation among like-minded nations.