Shadow housing, communities and local government minister Katie Lam (Conservative) has faced criticism from the mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim after a recording surfaced of the MP describing anti-terrorism legislation as an "absurd set of regulations." The legislation, officially titled the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and commonly known as Martyn’s Law, was initiated by the previous Conservative government to improve venue safety during terror attacks.
The recording, obtained by The Independent from a local Conservative association meeting in June, captured Lam referring to the Act as her "most hated law." She argued that the regulations placed village hall trustees "legally on the hook" for emergency plans and claimed such plans required sign-offs by the ambulance service.
Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was one of 22 people killed in the May 2017 Manchester Arena attack, stated that Lam’s comments revealed a "profound lack of understanding." Murray, who campaigned for the law, noted that the legislation was shaped by years of consultation and that village halls are not required to have their plans signed off by emergency services. A Conservative Party spokesperson stated that while the impetus behind the law was "noble," the party must ensure legislation does not have unintended consequences.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 directly affects community organizations, charities, and businesses across the United Kingdom. Specifically, it places new legal requirements on owners and operators of venues with a capacity of 200 people or more, including village halls, community centers, and local theaters. According to the government, venues in the "standard tier" (200-799 capacity) must implement basic evacuation and communication procedures, while those in the "enhanced tier" (800+ capacity) are required to take additional steps such as CCTV monitoring, bag checks, and vehicle inspections.
For a local volunteer or small business owner, this law requires formal emergency planning. While the government describes standard-tier requirements as "low-cost activities" primarily involving time, the law establishes legal requirements for safety procedures. The Home Office confirmed that an implementation period is currently underway to allow venues time to prepare. The requirements are not yet in force; the government expects the measures to become legally binding starting in spring 2027. Figen Murray has indicated she will write to Lam to request a meeting regarding the MP's interpretation of the regulations.