I was pleased to see the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – also known as Martyn’s Law – passed unanimously at its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Monday. This is an important step forward in enhancing the safety of public venues across the country and ensuring that lessons learned from tragic events are reflected in law.

The Bill, known as Martyn’s Law in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, aims to strengthen security requirements for public venues and spaces to help prevent future tragedies.

The Bill introduces measures that:

1. Require public venues to assess and mitigate the risks of terrorist attacks.
2. Establish a tiered framework, where larger venues or those considered high-risk must meet stricter security standards.
3. Provide training and guidance to ensure that staff in public places are prepared to respond to potential attacks.

The Bill balances these enhanced security measures proportionately, ensuring they are appropriate for the size and type of premises involved. This legislation will be instrumental in improving safety in crowded places such as arenas, parks, and other public areas where we gather.

Martyn’s Law is a testament to the courage of Martyn’s family, particularly his mother, Figen Murray, whose tireless campaigning has brought this issue to Parliament. The legislation is a powerful way to honour the memory of Martyn and all those we have lost to acts of terror.

I am grateful to my colleagues for their support in ensuring this Bill passed, and look forward to its continued progress through Parliament.