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See other news storiesCONTEST Strategy - Home Secretary's statement
24 March 2009
Home Secretary’s oral statement to Parliament on 24 March 2009
Mr Speaker, I have today published the revised version of the Government’s strategy for countering international terrorism.
Protecting the safety of everyone in Britain is the primary duty – and abiding obligation – of government.
Recent events in Northern Ireland were a chilling reminder that the threat of terrorism has not left our shores. And they demonstrate the need to continue to adapt our approach so that we can deal with this threat wherever it emerges.
As we set out in our CONTEST strategy today, the greatest security threat we face comes from Al Qa’ida and related groups and individuals.
And our aim will always be to reduce the risk to the UK and our interests overseas from international terrorism – so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.
We know that the threat is severe.
We know that an attack is highly likely and could happen, without warning, at any time.
And we know that this new form of terrorism is different in scale and nature from the terrorist threats we have had to deal with in recent decades. This new form of terrorism is rooted in conflicts overseas and the fragility of some states. It is grounded in an extremist ideology that uses violence to further its ends.
It exploits the opportunities created by modern technologies, and seeks to radicalise young people into violent extremism.
The threat now comes from the Al Qa’ida leadership and their immediate associates, located mainly on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border; as well as from their affiliates and from others – including rogue individuals – who espouse similar views.
As hon members across the House will know – not least my Rt Hon Friends my predecessors, on whose important work this strategy builds – these groups have planned a succession of attacks against the UK, with the aim of causing mass casualties.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of thousands of people, we have had considerable success in stopping terrorists in their tracks and bringing those responsible to justice. I pay tribute to their work.
We have disrupted over a dozen attempted terrorist plots in the UK and since 2001 almost 200 people have been convicted of terrorist-related offences.
But, Mr Speaker, the threat remains, and is always evolving. This strategy takes that into account, draws on what we have learned about how to counter it, and reflects the increased resources we have rightly made available to keep Britain safe.
In recent years, the number of police dedicated to counter-terrorism work has grown by from 1,700 to 3,000. The Security Service has doubled in size. We have trained tens of thousands of people throughout the country in how to prepare for, and protect against, a terrorist attack. And we are working with communities to prevent the spread of violent extremism.
We currently spend £2.5bn on countering terrorism. By 2011, this will rise to £3.5bn – the majority of it on the main focus of work – pursuing terrorists wherever they are and stopping their attacks.
The CONTEST strategy remains centred on four key areas – Pursue, Prevent, Protect and Prepare.
We have updated each of these:
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Pursue will make use of new resources and new legislation available to the intelligence agencies and police to investigate and disrupt terrorist networks here and overseas, and to prosecute those responsible. •
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Prevent will reach more people than ever before, as we step up our efforts to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism. This reflects our better understanding of the causes of radicalisation and includes new programmes and new partnerships with communities here and overseas.
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Protect aims to strengthen our defences against an attack – through a strong border, improved resilience in our Critical National Infrastructure, and greater protection for the crowded places where we all live, work, shop and play.
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Prepare will limit the impact of any attacks that do occur – with tens of thousands of emergency services workers, security guards, store managers and others trained and equipped to deal with an incident. Every region of the country now has plans to deal with an attack, and to improve our ability to recover and ensure a return to normal as soon as possible.
There is also dedicated cross-government work on the specific threat posed by terrorist use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons and explosives.
Mr Speaker, the vital work to counter terrorism cannot be done by central government, the police and agencies working alone. That is why this revised strategy is based on work right across central, devolved and local government – together with our international partners, and with local communities.
In addressing both the immediate threats and their longer-term causes – and how we will deliver action at a local, national and international level – our aim has been to publish as full and as open an account of our work as possible.
The strategy also draws close links with other government policies that are essential to its delivery – including conflict reduction, our international aid programme, counter proliferation, our work in Afghanistan and Pakistan and our support to communities here, building cohesion, empowerment and equality in this country. The strategy is also closely coordinated with the National Security Strategy, published for the first time last year.
Mr Speaker, the challenge that all of us in this House face is to strike the right balance between measures to protect security and the right to life, with the impact on the other rights we hold dear.
CONTEST is based on clear and unambiguous principles. And my approach to protecting Britain’s security in the face of the terrorist threat will always be underpinned by our core shared values – including the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and democratic and accountable government.
The Government has sought that balance at all times. But we remain uncompromising on a number of issues. We oppose the use of torture in all its forms. We have always condemned the practice of ‘extraordinary rendition’ – and will continue to do so.
This strategy is comprehensive and wide-ranging. In publishing it, my primary aim is to reassure the British public that we are doing all in our power to protect this country through our relentless pursuit of terrorists and our determination to prevent violent extremism.
We continue to depend on the determination, engagement, and vigilance of all in Britain to keep us safe.
I commend this statement to the house.
