STORY
The National Security (State Threats) Act has received Royal Assent, giving the Home Secretary new powers to designate organisations linked to hostile activity carried out on behalf of foreign states. Criminal sanctions will apply to designated bodies and those supporting them.
The Government said the legislation was intended to address espionage, sabotage, cyber operations, disinformation and interference in Britain’s political system. It builds on powers introduced by the National Security Act 2023.
Ministers said threats from foreign powers and their proxies had increased in scale and complexity. Civil liberties groups and Parliament will continue to scrutinise how the designation powers are used and what safeguards apply.