National Security Act 2023
The National Security Act introduces new measures to modernise counter-espionage laws and address the evolving state threat to national security.
With this new legislation, the UK is now a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts against the UK, including espionage, interference in our political system, sabotage, and assassination.
The act introduces an offence of foreign interference, meaning it will now be illegal to engage in conduct that interferes with fundamental rights, such as voting and freedom of speech, that are essential to the UK’s democracy.
The act also introduces a new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which increases transparency of foreign power influence in UK democracy and politics and provides greater assurance around the activities of foreign powers which pose the greatest risk to UK safety and interests.
View the most recent version of the National Security Act 2023 on the Parliament website.
Bill documents
Guidance
Last updated 20 December 2023 + show all updates
-
Added National Security Act 2023 video recording code of practice.
-
Updated the 3rd paragraph on this page.
-
Updated following Royal Assent.
-
First published.