Funding announced to improve security for elected representatives

The government has announced an additional £31 million to provide new security provisions to elected representatives and protect the UK's democratic processes from disruption.

The money will be used to enhance police capabilities, increase private sector security provisions for those facing a higher risk, and to expand cyber security advice to locally elected representatives.  

The government has said that all elected representatives and candidates will have a dedicated named police contact to liaise with on security matters.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The government will take every possible step to safeguard the people, processes and institutions upon which our democracy relies.

"I take the safety and security of all members of the House with the utmost seriousness. None of us should have to accept that enduring hate crimes, harassment, or threats is part of the job.  

"I will continue to work closely with my police counterparts to provide elected representatives with the support they need."

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: "Over the past few weeks we’ve seen disgraceful attempts to intimidate MPs and undermine our democratic processes.

"That behaviour is a threat to our democracy, and toxic for our society.

"We will do whatever is necessary to protect those who’ve been elected to represent their local communities, and to defend our democratic freedoms."

Image by Ashley Youngs from Pixabay