May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The National Security Act 2023 creates a broad new framework to counter foreign influence and security threats. It sets up a registration system for foreign arrangements and political influence activities, adds new information powers (including bank data requests), and introduces offences and safeguards, including protections for legal privilege and journalism. The Act received Royal Assent in July 2023 and is now law.
Key Points
New registration regime for “foreign arrangements” and “political influence activities” with prescribed offences for failing to register and a requirement for ongoing reporting to Parliament.
Expanded information powers, including customer information orders to banks, account monitoring, and disclosure orders, paired with safeguards to protect legal professional privilege and confidential journalistic material.
Extra‑territorial reach and corporate accountability: offences can apply outside the UK, and officers of companies can be charged for offences committed by their organisations; powers regarding sites used by the intelligence services are introduced as prohibited places.
Policy definitions and safeguards: new definitions of “foreign principal” and “political influence activity,” exemptions to registration, and provisions to limit disclosure and protect privilege and journalism, while enhancing transparency.
Link to Online Safety Act: foreign interference is treated as a priority offence under the Online Safety Act, with Parliament‑level oversight and an annual reporting requirement on the registration scheme.
Progress
The Act has completed its passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent, becoming law. It was subject to multiple amendments in both Houses during its journey, including changes to the registration regime, data powers, and safeguards.
Voting
Across the key votes, Conservative MPs largely supported the bill, while Labour and several other parties opposed. Reform UK backed the government’s stance, while Sinn Féin was mixed and some smaller parties voted against. The divisions reflected a contested balance between national security aims and civil-liberties concerns.
Who is affected?
Individuals and groups already engaging in or considering foreign arrangements or political influence activities in the UKOrganisations and businesses involved in, or affected by, foreign arrangements or political influence activitiesBanks and other financial institutions that may be asked to provide customer information or account dataLegal professionals and journalists, due to protections around professional privilege and confidential materialPolice, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Crown (including the procurator fiscal in Scotland) exercising new investigative powersCorporations and their officers, due to liability for offences and potential extraterritorial reachForeign principals or powers engaged in activities in the UKPublic bodies and government departments involved in enforcing or regulating the new provisions
