Security Minister updates Parliament on national security and threat level

In recent weeks, there has been a series of arson attacks and incidents against British Jews and opponents of the Iranian regime, including the horrifying terror attack in Golders Green, which resulted in serious injuries for two members of the Jewish community.

Further, there was the conviction of a 21-year-old male who planned to commit a terrorist attack to further his extreme white supremacist agenda, as well as convictions secured against two individuals under the National Security Act for surveiling and intimidating dissidents on behalf of China.

In addition, the nation is witnessing record levels of investigative casework on terror plots, espionage and state-linked threats posed to individuals.

On 30 April, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the UK’s national terrorism threat level from ‘Substantial’ to ‘Severe’. The decision to change the UK’s terrorism threat level is taken independently of ministers and based on the very latest intelligence.

‘Severe’ means that a terrorist attack is highly likely in the next six months. The threat level was last set at a ‘Severe’ rating from November 2021 until February 2022. This latest increase in the threat from terrorism follows the recent stabbing attack in Golders Green, but it’s not solely as a result of that attack.

Gradual increase 

“The terrorism threat in the UK has been gradually increasing,” said Jarvis. “It’s driven primarily by the broader Islamist and extreme right wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based here in the UK. While the UK’s national threat level reflects JTAC’s assessment of the terrorist threat posed, it comes against a backdrop of increased state-linked physical threats encouraging acts of violence, including against the Jewish community.”

In response, the Government has announced £25 million of immediate funding to strengthen policing, protect Jewish communities and provide reassurance. This brings the total protective security funding to £58 million in 2026: the largest investment any Government has made in protecting Jewish communities.

Jarvis has initiated a review of the national threat level system, which currently captures only the threat from terrorism, to ensure that it remains fully relevant and that Government is communicating as clearly as possible with the public about the national security threats facing the nation.

CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, sets out a clear framework – Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare – which aims to ensure people can go about their lives freely and with confidence. Jarvis has noted that the Government is broadening intervention capabilities to better support those at risk of being drawn into terrorism through the PREVENT programme. “We have improved training and guidance for front line professionals and practitioners to better spot the signs of radicalisation,” affirmed Jarvis.

Further to this, the Government is working with technology companies, international partners and Ofcom to tackle online content used to radicalise, recruit and incite terrorism.

Stopping terrorist attacks

MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing continued to work tirelessly to stop terrorist attacks, with 19 late-stage attack plots disrupted since 2020 (including a chilling ISIS-inspired plot to target Jewish communities in Manchester).

“We have delivered our General Election Manifesto commitment to improve the security of public events and venues across the UK through Martyn’s Law,” noted Jarvis. “Free expert advice, guidance and training is available to owners and operators of venues and public spaces through the ProtectUK website.”

By virtue of instigating closer working across the Emergency Services, Government is maintaining strong multi-agency capabilities to respond to a range of different scenarios. “We keep our preparedness under constant review,” said Jarvis, “and the response is exercised regularly, ensuring that our Emergency Services can respond immediately to terror attacks as we saw in the brave response to the violent antisemitic attack in Golders Green.”

Terrorism and state threats are sometimes interrelated, as has been seen with threats from states such as Iran, not to mention the wider use of both terrorist groups and proxies by state actors (including Russia). “We face a sophisticated and persistent challenge in responding to China,” highlighted Jarvis, “which presents a unique set of threats to the UK.”

On that theme, Jarvis explained: “Members of this House will know that a Jury delivered its verdict following the nine-week trial of Bill Yuen and Peter Wai.

The Jury found both individuals guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service which, in this case, was the Hong Kong Police Force. This was done under the National Security Act. Wai was also found guilty of misconduct in public office. The verdict represents the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China and sends a strong message that the full force of the law will be applied to anyone who carries out hostile acts in the UK on behalf of any foreign state.”

Both individuals held positions of power, leveraging that fact to conduct hostile activity on UK soil on behalf of China. “It’s simply unacceptable that an employee of a foreign power was conducting a shadow policing operation in the UK,” insisted Jarvis. “That is why the Chinese Ambassador has been summoned and the Foreign Secretary will be making clear to Hong Kong’s CEO that this type of activity was, and will always be, unacceptable on these shores.”

The Foreign Office has also made it clear that Yuen’s employment at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office must be terminated immediately.

Police officer training

The Government is involved in rolling out new training for police officers and staff to increase their understanding of state threats. In tandem, it’s driving forward the Counter-Political Interference and Espionage Plan to protect the UK’s democratic institutions and processes.

There’s also going to be fast-track legislation in the coming weeks which will clamp down on individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including those who act as their proxies. This legislation will include new proscription-like powers to ban the activities of state-backed organisations who pose a threat to the UK’s national security.

“We are implementing all of the recommendations made last year by Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation,” confirmed Jarvis. “We are responding to state threats in all their forms.”

National security, of course, is the first duty of Government. That duty includes being able to respond to a range of threats. On that basis, the Government is giving the police and intelligence services the resources needed for that vital role. Last year, Government provided an extra £140 million for Counter Terrorism Policing, plus nearly £600 million more for the intelligence services. This takes their funding to record levels.

“Protecting our communities and standing up to hatred and intolerance is a shared responsibility of every person in the UK,” urged Jarvis. “The public must remain vigilant and report any concerns to the police. The general public’s contribution is a vital part of our efforts to keep our country safe.”

Jarvis concluded his speech in Parliament by stating: “Support for the victims of terrorism is a moral duty. I would like to acknowledge the profound and enduring impact on the survivors and families of those affected by Golders Green, and all terrorist attacks, whose lives have been forever changed.”