Offer continuity tax breaks, says MP

Patrick Mercer, former Conservative spokesman for homeland security, has called for tax breaks and insurance incentives for firms that deploy business continuity plans, as part of a radical rethink of the UK's approach to terrorist threats.

He will tell delegates at this week's Business Continuity Expo that the government's approach to terrorist threats needs a "radical overhaul" including a public awareness campaign.

"We need to incentivise," he said. "If you are setting up a new business, there should be a template of security measures. When you have ticked the boxes, that should be manifest by tax cuts and preferential insurance rates underwritten by government."

He said businesses needed to be prepared for threats which could range from attacks such as hacking or spreading false information on the internet, to concerted physical attacks on critical infrastructure.

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