Government Government Policy
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Government Policy and Regulations can be a tiresome process to find, especially if you are the one in charge of molding that policy for your company or your business interests.
Government of the United Kingdom
POLICY FROM THE UK CABINET OFFICE The British Government has published its Strategic Defence and Security Review: Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty which sets out how we will deliver the priorities identified in the National Security Strategy It describes how we will equip our armed forces, our police and intelligence agencies to tackle the threats we face today and in the future. National security is the first duty of Government. Britain as a country continues to have global responsibilities and global ambitions. We will remain a first rate military power. National security depends upon economic security, and vice versa. Bringing the defence programme back into balance has required some tough decisions but is a vital part of both how we tackle the deficit and how we protect our national security. Faced with these challenges, the Government has been determined to make the right decisions for the long-term defence and prosperity of the country. This Review will equip us with modern defences: Armed Forces and equipment fit for the 21st century; strong security and intelligence agencies; and diplomats and development aid which can help us prevent threats before they become a reality. We will double the amount of aid we spend in conflict countries, tackling threats at their source. The British Government will continue to invest in their security and intelligence agencies. They will also establish a transformative national programme to protect ourselves in cyberspace, backed by £650m of new funds. Securing Britian in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The National Security Strategy
TERRORISM PUBLICATIONS
***** NEW *****
Proscribed terror groups or organisations ----- 11/07/2011 The list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law, and the criteria that are considered when deciding whether or not to proscribe a group or organisation. Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011 ----- 17/03/2011 Remedial order under the Human Rights Act 1998 makes changes to stop and search powers legislation. The Home Secretary announced on 26 January the findings from the review of counter-terrorism and security powers. One of the recommendations of the review was that stop and search powers under sections 44-47 of the Terrorism Act 2000 should be repealed and replaced with a much more limited power. This recommendation was based on the Government’s commitments to introduce safeguards against the misuse of terrorism legislation, and in order to bring the powers into line with the European Convention of Human Rights, following the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of Gillan and Quinton v United Kingdom. The recommendation is being implemented by provisions in the Protection of Freedoms Bill which was introduced to Parliament on 11 February. The review also recommended that consideration be given to whether the new counter-terrorism stop and search powers should be available more quickly than the Protection of Freedoms Bill would allow. On 1 March 2011 the Home Secretary announced that she had concluded that the police do need the powers more quickly than the Bill would allow.
Remedial order
The Home Secretary has therefore made a “remedial order” under section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 to make immediate changes to the legislation. The new powers contained in that order are supported by a robust statutory Code of Practice. The remedial order replaces sections 44 to 47 of the Terrorism Act 2000 with a more targeted and proportionate power. The provisions in the order will cease to have effect on the coming into force of the similar provisions in the Protection of Freedoms Bill – in other words, the order makes temporary provision while the Protection of Freedoms Bill is being taken through Parliament. The order will come into force on 18 March. The following documents are available to download below:
Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011 Explanatory Memorandum to the Order Draft Detention of Terrorist Suspects (Temporary Extension) Bills ----- 11/02/2011 This draft legislation was published on 11 February. The Home Secretary’s recent review of counter terrorism and security powers recommended a reduction in the maximum period of pre charge detention for terrorist suspects from 28 to 14 days. To deal with any exceptional circumstances the review also recommended the publication of draft emergency legislation which could be introduced where more than 14 days was considered necessary, which would temporarily increase the maximum period back to 28 days. Draft legislation was published on 11 February and is available to download below. Review of counter-terrorism and security powers These documents published follow the review of counter-terrorism and security powers. The Home Secretary announced the outcome of the review to Parliament on 26 January 2011. Summary of responses to the consultation (PDF file - 616kb) Equality impact assessment (PDF file - 810kb) A report by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven QC Review findings and recommendations (PDF file - 428kb)
COUNTER TERRORISM STRATEGY (CONTEST) ***** NEW ***** The aim of CONTEST is to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence. The scope of this revised CONTEST strategy has been broadened to cover all forms of terrorism. Our counter-terrorism strategy will continue to be organised around four workstreams, each comprising a number of key objectives Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack Download the full strategy document, the executive summary and translations of the executive summary.
CONTEST summary (PDF file - 1mb - Warning: large file)
CONTEST strategy (PDF file - 3mb - Warning: large file)
Arabic translation of the summary of CONTEST (PDF file - 120kb)
Urdu translation of the summary of CONTEST (PDF file - 205kb)
Welsh translation of the summary of CONTEST (PDF file - 108kb)
The following fact sheets provide more information on the National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review of the UK. Fact sheet 1: Our approach to the National Security Strategy Fact sheet 2: National Security Risk Assessment Fact sheet 3: Summary of key SDSR changes Fact sheet 4: The National Security Tasks Fact sheet 5: Future Force 2020 - Summary of size, shape and structure Fact sheet 6: Future Force - Royal Navy Fact sheet 7: Future Force - British Army Fact sheet 8: Future Force - Royal Air Force Fact sheet 10: Trident Value for Money Review Fact sheet 11: Changing the Defence Estate Fact sheet 12: The Armed Forces Covenant Fact sheet 14: Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) Fact sheet 17: Instability and Conflict Overseas Fact sheet 19: Energy, Resources and Climate Change Fact sheet 20: Foreign Policy and Engagement Overseas Fact sheet 21: Coordinating Our National Security Approach
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/207318/hmg_security_policy.pdf
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp1_grmc.aspx
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp2_pmac.aspx
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp3_ps.aspx
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp4_isa.aspx
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) RIPA is the law governing the use of covert techniques by public authorities.
It requires that when public authorities – such as the police or government departments – need to use covert techniques to obtain private information about someone, they do it in a way that is necessary, proportionate, and compatible with human rights.
When RIPA applies
RIPA applies to a wide-range of investigations in which private information might be obtained. Cases in which it applies include:
Terrorism Crime Public safety Emergency Services
What RIPA does
RIPA's guidelines and codes apply to actions such as: Intercepting communications, such as the content of telephone calls, emails or letters acquiring communications data – the ‘who, when and where’ of communications, such as a telephone billing or subscriber details conducting covert surveillance, either in private premises or vehicles (intrusive surveillance) or in public places (directed surveillance) the use of covert human intelligence sources, such as informants or undercover officers access to electronic data protected by encryption or passwords
Codes of practice and forms Before a person representing a public authority makes an application under RIPA, they should download and read the appropriate codes of practice.
Codes of practice and guidance for making an application under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000).
These help public authorities assess and understand whether and in what circumstances it is appropriate to use covert techniques. The codes also provide guidance on what procedures need to be followed in each case. All RIPA codes must be approved and debated in both Houses of Parliament and published.
The codes
Guidance on the procedures that must be followed before interception of communications can take place. Code of practice on the interception of communications
Guidance on the procedures to be followed before acquiring or disclosing communications data. Code of practice on the acquisition and disclosure of communications data
Information and guidance for authorising covert surveillance and property interference. Code of practice on covert surveillance and property interference
The following code applies to authorising and using covert intelligence sources. Code of practice on the use of covert human intelligence sources
The following code provides guidance that should be followed when protected electronic information is decrypted. Code of practice for the investigation of protected electronic information
Purchasing the codes
All the codes on this website can also be purchased from The Cabinet Office The Stationery Office (new window).
Physical Security http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp5_ps.aspx
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp6_ct.aspx
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/spf/sp7_bc.aspx
Government of the United States of America
USA THREAT LEVELS Homeland Security Live Alert
US Government Overview http://www.whitehouse.gov/our_government/
Arms control and International Security
Homeland Security
Prevention and Protection
US Travel Security Policy guidelines http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm
National Security Agency Information Assurance http://www.nsa.gov/ia/index.shtml
National Security Agency De-Classification Initiatives http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/declass/index.shtml
No FEAR Act http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/documents/ycr/nofearact.pdf
United States Senate Legislation http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/g_three_sections_with_teasers/legislative_home.htm
US Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/
If there is anything else you would like to see on this section of the Security Website, please contact us HERE.... Regards The SW Team........... |
