What's New
SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME AND POLICE BILL PUBLISHED (24.11.04)
The Home Office published the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill on 24 November. Measures in the Bill include the creation of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, said: "The new agency will add value to the work of the existing agencies and link intelligence, investigation and intervention in new ways". Sir Stephen Lander, Chair of SOCA and former head of the Security Service, said that SOCA "presents a real opportunity to make a difference and tackle crimes that affect every man, woman and child in this country".
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH (23.11.04)
At the state opening of Parliament on 23 November, Her Majesty The Queen set out the Government's legislative programme for the coming year. The Queen announced measures to "support the continuing fight against terrorism in the UK and elsewhere", "establish the Serious Organised Crime Agency" [SOCA], and "prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons". David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, said: "Ensuring security and safety for the individual and community is our over-riding objective and is the common thread in all our proposals today".
CIVIL CONTINGENCIES BILL RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT (18.11.04)
The Civil Contingencies Bill - an important element of the Government's work to improve the resilience of the UK to a full range of emergencies, including a terrorist attack - received Royal Assent on 18 November. The legislation will deliver a single framework for civil protection in the UK. The UK Resilience website provides further information on civil contingencies issues and emergency planning.
BROADENING THE BUSINESS SECURITY AGENDA - SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL (08.11.04)
Introducing a session focussing on security at the CBI annual conference 2004 in Birmingham, the Director General of the Security Service, Eliza Manningham-Buller, reiterated to business leaders that "there is a serious and sustained threat of terrorist attacks against UK interests at home and abroad, including against the business community." Ms Manningham-Buller urged businesses to broaden their thinking about security issues to include terrorism, and explained how the Security Service can support them.
NEW SECURITY ADVICE PUBLISHED (08.11.04)
The Security Advice section of this website has been expanded to help businesses manage the risk of terrorism and plan their security more effectively. Guidance is given on appointing a Security Co-ordinator and what to include in a corporate Security Plan. More detailed information on search and evacuation plans is also provided.
CBI/QINETIQ BUSINESS SECURITY SURVEY PUBLISHED (07.11.04)
Security is top of the agenda for corporate Britain, according to the CBI/QinetiQ Business Security Survey published on 7 November which examined the attitudes of 10 CBI member companies across the broad range of security issues. The survey indicated that 60% of firms were likely to use the security advice on the MI5 website. The Survey comes on the eve of the CBI Annual Conference in Birmingham, where the Director General of the Security Service, Eliza Manningham-Buller, will open a session on business security. The text of Ms Manningham-Buller's speech will be available on this website.
