Member

I appreciate that the Bill, as it stands, does not yet relate to PIP. However, as we discussed on Monday, this can easily be changed and is absolutely feasible. Indeed, the Government seem to expect that the provision in this Bill will apply to PIP. For us, to incorporate this provision now is responsible and will help to ensure that this Bill is fit for the future, not just for the present. The amendment rightly distinguishes between malicious dissemination and legitimate public interest activity. It includes defences for journalists, researchers and others who may share sensitive information, in good faith, in pursuit of transparency or scrutiny—an important point—but it places a clear and necessary boundary on those who intend, or should reasonably know, that the content that they are sharing will be used to defraud the taxpayer.