Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021

Key Points

• Creates powers for the government to require security measures from telecoms providers and to set codes of practice (with a defined 40‑day period to respond and a negative resolution procedure for codes).
• Requires a Secretary of State report on how supplier diversification affects telecom security, with a Commons debate possible on the report.
• Introduces a cross‑bench/foreign‑country review of telecoms companies, including alignment with Five Eyes partner positions on vendor operations; aims to scrutinise foreign‑based vendors and potential restrictions.
• Several oversight and horizon‑scanning ideas (such as an Intelligence and Security Committee briefing on enforcement actions, a long‑term security strategy, and a skills/training review) were proposed but largely withdrawn or not moved, illustrating tension between rapid security action and parliamentary scrutiny.
• Two Lords amendments to the bill were opposed by the Government in the Lords, showing a partisan split on how robust the new security and oversight measures should be.

Progress

The bill completed its passage through both Houses and received Royal Assent on 17 November 2021, becoming law. The Government used its majority in the Lords to disagree with two Lords amendments, accepting a number of Government amendments (notably around Codes of Practice timing and the diversification/foreign‑country review mechanisms).

Voting

In two Lords votes on amendments, the Government prevailed in disagreeing with the Lords’ changes. Party lines showed Conservative, Reform UK and DUP supporting the Government’s position, while Labour and Liberal Democrats, as well as SNP and Plaid Cymru, opposed the Lords amendments in several cases. Some smaller or mixed groups (e.g., Sinn Féin, Your Party) did not provide a clear, uniform party line.