Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 January 2026.

Hundreds of endangered species seized in crackdown on international wildlife smuggling.

Live snakes, tarantulas and lovebirds have been found crammed into vehicles at the UK border following a global crackdown on wildlife smuggling gangs.

In just one month, Border Force seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots across the country.

The seizures this autumn were part of an annual international operation to combat illegal wildlife smuggling – representing a 73% increase from 2023.

They include two rainbow boa constrictors, which officers found hidden under blankets in a car in Dover. The driver had bought them at a German reptile show without a licence.

Border Force also discovered over 100 endangered birds crammed into a car, including scarlet ibis, green-cheeked conures and lovebirds. Some had died and the rest were kept in filthy conditions, risking the spread of disease.  

There has also been a surge in spider trafficking since 2023. In one instance, Border Force intercepted a car transporting over 2,000 live tarantulas from Europe – worth an estimated £70,000. The consignment included more than 300 protected species without the appropriate licences.

Adult tarantulas can sell for between £50 to £500 depending on the species.

Other items prevented from reaching the black market included an elephant hair ring from the United States, king cobra balm from Thailand and a blacktip shark jaw from Australia.

Wildlife crime is worth up to £17 billion a year globally, making it the fourth largest international crime – behind firearms, drugs and human trafficking. 

The intercepted items are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which is currently marking its 50th year.

Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said: 

Wildlife smuggling is serious organised crime. It fuels corruption, drives species to extinction, and undermines our border security.

I congratulate Border Force on this year’s hugely successful operation, which has cut off a major source of funding for dangerous gangs.

But we won’t stop until we’ve broken this business model. Anyone attempting to bring illegal wildlife products into the UK – by air, sea, or post – will be searched and prosecuted.

DEFRA Minister Mary Creagh said:

The illegal wildlife trade is vile and destroys the natural world.

By tackling wildlife crime we’re sending a clear message to the criminal gangs that this government will strain every sinew to bring those involved to justice.

The seizures took place between 13 September and 15 October as part of Operation Thunder – an annual crackdown led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization to dismantle criminal smuggling networks. 

Police supported this year’s operation, carrying out inspections across the country. Where sellers could not provide paperwork, officers seized items including shark and crocodile meat, ivory carvings and a tiger claw bottle.

Border Force’s specialist CITES team at Heathrow is recognised as world leaders in detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products.

More than ever before officers are taking an intelligence-led approach – working with international partners to share expertise and shut the trade down. 

Where possible, seized items will be rehomed or used for research. 

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is determined to strengthen border security and break the business model of organised crime.

Anyone who suspects smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 December 2025.

Knife crime is falling and communities are safer thanks to a year of decisive action by the Home Office and the police.

New statistics show that in the worst affected areas, knife-point robberies are down 15% since June last year, following targeted action from the government. This compares to a 14% rise in 2024. In real-life terms this means almost 2,500 fewer people experienced the fear of being robbed under the threat of a knife.

At the same time, a government programme set up to take down County Lines – drug smuggling networks that cross regions and often involve the exploitation of children – has led to more than 8,000 arrests, more than 3,000 lines closed and more than 900 knives taken off the streets.

This also saw more than 4,000 exploited children and vulnerable people given support to turn them away from criminally exploitative County Lines gangs and over 600 young people supported by specialist services. There was a 25% drop in hospital admissions for knife stabbings in the areas where large quantities of Class A drugs originate.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

Every line closed, every knife surrendered, every child safeguarded means lives saved and communities safer, and these results prove that our relentless focus on prevention and enforcement is working.

We have turned rising knife crime into falling knife crime, and we will not stop until serious violence is driven out of our communities and every young person has the chance of a safer future.

This government is driving an ambitious mission to cut knife crime by half within the next decade, taking decisive action and working hand-in-hand with police forces and local partners to deliver targeted interventions exactly where they are needed most.

In October last year, ministers launched a new group to clamp down on knife robberies, bringing together police forces in seven areas including Birmingham, Manchester and London, to share intelligence, ramp up enforcement, and drive down crime.

The County Lines Programme takes a similar targeted approach to dismantle drug gangs that exploit vulnerable people, while cutting violence and protecting communities. Together, these efforts are demonstrating continued success in making our streets safer by stopping knife crime and shutting down dangerous networks.

Kate Wareham, Strategic Director – Young People, Families and Communities, Catch22 said:

With thousands of children at risk of exploitation, we are really encouraged to see the progress being made by the Home Office in tackling county lines. Its County Lines Programme is having a significant impact in stopping criminal gangs, safeguarding exploited vulnerable people, and keeping communities safe.

Catch22 are proud that our national County Lines Support and Rescue Service continues to play a key part of this important work by providing immediate rescue and ongoing support to young victims and through working in partnership with the police.

The statistics out today round off a year of consistent progress and hard-won success.

The government’s knife surrender schemes – amnesties that let people hand in knives and banned weapons safely at police stations, surrender bins, or mobile vans – have taken almost 60,000 knives off the streets, removing deadly weapons from circulation.

Over 50 Young Futures Panel pilots have gone live across England and Wales, bringing together police, social care, education, and youth services to spot children at risk of crime early and connect them to tailored support.

Stronger age checks for the online sale and delivery of knives have been brought forward in the Crime and Policing Bill as part of Ronan’s Law. The same bill introduced legislation including a new child criminal exploitation offence and prevention orders which will disrupt and prevent this exploitation from occurring or re-occurring. 

In November, Hex mapping – a new tool for police and community partners to utilise data and intelligence to drive down knife crime in hyperlocal areas – was introduced across 11 local authorities. This allows police and partners to deliver tailored and responsive interventions and tackle knife crime head on.

Earlier this month the government launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce licensing for knife sellers and importers. Tougher restrictions on dangerous blades and stronger enforcement powers are also currently going through Parliament.

Pooja Kanda, knife crime campaigner, mother of Ronan Kanda and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, said:

Ronan’s Law is deeply important to me, closing critical gaps that allowed weapons to be obtained too easily, particularly online. Stronger age verification, tighter delivery checks, clearer responsibilities for retailers and platforms, and improved reporting of illegal online activity are practical measures that make a real difference. Alongside this, the national surrender scheme in July 2025 played a vital role in removing over 7,500 weapons from our streets.

While there is always more to do, I can’t thank the government enough for this work, and this progress shows what can be achieved when lived experience, campaigners, and government work together to tackle youth violence and strengthen protections for young people and communities, so no other family has to experience the loss that mine has.

Faron Paul, CEO of Fazamnesty and member of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together this year through the weapons surrender scheme. Working in close partnership with the Home Office, we’ve helped communities across the country take practical steps to reduce knife crime and make our streets safer.

This collaboration shows what’s possible when government and grassroots organisations work side by side, and I’m confident that building on this momentum will deliver even greater impact as we look ahead to 2026.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 December 2025.

Almost 240,000 fake Labubus have been seized at the border in a blow to criminals looking to cash in on demand for this year’s must-have Christmas present.

Dangerous imitations made up 90% of the more than 260,000 counterfeit toys stopped by Border Force in 2025, following a surge in the dolls’ popularity. 

With three-quarters of counterfeit toys failing safety tests, officers have stepped up shipment searches in the run-up to Christmas to protect children from harm.

As well as fake Labubus, Border Force seized a range of counterfeit toys and electrical products – including Jellycats, PlayStation controllers, Disney merchandise and Pokémon figurines.

Dangers to children include banned chemicals linked to cancer, and choking as fake toys break more easily due to their poor quality.

Organised criminals use counterfeit goods to profit from and prey on families, with no regard for the harm they could cause to children. 

They also undermine legitimate retailers and toy manufacturers who invest in safe, high-quality products during the crucial Christmas trading period. 

The seizures, which are usually destroyed following detection, protect honest businesses from criminals undercutting them with dangerous fakes. 

Adam Chatfield, Border Force Assistant Director said:  

Preventing cheap knock-off toys entering Britain isn’t about stopping fun at Christmas.

Serious organised criminals use profits from dangerous counterfeit goods to fund their evil activities – exploiting parents and families.

Every product seized disrupts criminal networks threatening our border security, spares children from harm and protects legitimate British businesses.

To tackle the surge of counterfeit toy sales over the Christmas period, Border Force has teamed up with the Intellectual Property Office as part of Operation Foretide, working together to identify and stop counterfeit goods entering the UK. 

Officers are trained to spot fake products and use intelligence to target high-risk shipments.

The seizures follow a record-breaking year for Border Force drug seizures, including £1 billion worth of cocaine seized this summer. Officers have also prevented dangerous weapons and firearms from reaching the UK’s streets.  

This government is relentless in its mission to protect the public and cut off the cash supply of criminal gangs flooding our borders with deadly products.  

Helen Barnham, Intellectual Property Office Deputy Director of Enforcement Policy said:

With counterfeit toys, what you see is rarely what you get. These illegal and dangerous goods have bypassed every safety check the law requires, behind the packaging can be hidden choking hazards, toxic chemicals and unsafe electrical wiring that put children in real danger.

This Christmas, check before you buy. Be wary of unfamiliar sellers and deals that seem too good to be true. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t let your child be the product tester.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 December 2025.

Border Force seizes over 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products as part of an intensive international operation to target criminal networks.

Live snakes, tarantulas and lovebirds have been found crammed into vehicles at the UK border following a global crackdown on wildlife smuggling gangs.

In just one month, Border Force seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots across the country.

The seizures this autumn were part of an annual international operation to combat illegal wildlife smuggling – representing a 73% increase on the previous year.

They include 2 rainbow boa constrictors, which officers found hidden under blankets in a car in Dover. The driver had bought them at a German reptile show without a licence.

Border Force also discovered over 100 endangered birds crammed into a car, including scarlet ibis, green-cheeked conures and lovebirds. Some had died and the rest were kept in filthy conditions, risking the spread of disease.

There has also been a surge in spider-trafficking since 2023. In one instance, Border Force intercepted a car transporting over 2,000 live tarantulas from Europe – worth an estimated £70,000. The consignment included more than 300 protected species without the appropriate licences.

Adult tarantulas can sell for between £50 to £500 depending on the species.

Other items prevented from reaching the black market included an elephant hair ring from the United States, king cobra balm from Thailand and a blacktip shark jaw from Australia.

Wildlife crime is worth up to £17 billion a year globally, making it the fourth largest international crime – behind firearms, drugs and human trafficking.

The intercepted items are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which is currently marking its 50th year.

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said:

Wildlife smuggling is serious organised crime. It fuels corruption, drives species to extinction, and undermines our border security.

I congratulate Border Force on this year’s hugely successful operation, which has cut off a major source of funding for dangerous gangs.

But we won’t stop until we’ve broken this business model. Anyone attempting to bring illegal wildlife products into the UK – by air, sea, or post – will be searched and prosecuted.

DEFRA Minister Mary Creagh said:

The illegal wildlife trade is vile and destroys the natural world.

By tackling wildlife crime we’re sending a clear message to the criminal gangs that this government will strain every sinew to bring those involved to justice.

The seizures took place between 13 September and 15 October as part of Operation Thunder – an annual crackdown led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization to dismantle criminal smuggling networks.

Police supported this year’s operation, carrying out inspections across the country. Where sellers could not provide paperwork, officers seized items including shark and crocodile meat, ivory carvings and a tiger claw bottle.

Border Force’s specialist CITES team at Heathrow is recognised as world leaders in detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products.

More than ever before officers are taking an intelligence-led approach – working with international partners to share expertise and shut the trade down.

Where possible, seized items will be rehomed or used for research.

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is determined to strengthen border security and break the business model of organised crime.

Anyone who suspects smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at wildlife charity Born Free said:

The work of Border Force and the police during Operation Thunder in 2025 is highly commendable.

However, the increase in seizures over the years in which Operation Thunder has been running reflects the ever-expanding scale of international wildlife trafficking, which is coordinated by organised criminal networks and is destroying the lives of animals and disrupting efforts to conserve threatened species. Far more needs to be done to tackle wildlife trafficking if we are to meet the internationally agreed goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, put nature back on a path to recovery, and ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, by 2030. The UK needs to treat all wildlife crime as serious, notifiable and recordable crime, ensure that penalties for perpetrators are truly deterrent, and put the necessary resources into tackling this scourge.

Matt Collis, senior director of policy for IFAW said:

Across the world, wild animals are increasingly being taken from their natural habitats and funneled into the pet trade, sold to buyers who can buy them with the click of a button. It’s easy to imagine these buyers as living in faraway places, but the truth is – this trade is thriving here in the UK.

Organised criminal networks are quick to exploit these trends – putting wildlife in peril. Border Force’s success in intercepting smuggled animals is encouraging and should send a clear warning to traffickers. Yet behind the statistics lies a far darker reality. Many animals die long before reaching their destination, and those who survive often face a lifetime of suffering in captivity.

We cannot treat nature as a pet shop. Wildlife belongs in the wild – not in our homes.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 December 2025.

Baroness Anne Longfield CBE has been appointed to chair the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs as part of a 3-person panel appointed under the Inquiries Act, finally getting answers for victims and survivors.  

Longfield, a former Children’s Commissioner appointed in 2015 under the previous government, will be part of a 3-person panel. The three, appointed under the Inquiries Act, will investigate how young people were failed time and again by the very people who should have protected them. Longfield will work alongside Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as panellists.

Longfield will instigate and direct local investigations in areas where it is suspected serious failures occurred, including Oldham. These will examine the actions of the police, councils, social services and other agencies, both locally and nationally, making sure any wrongdoing or cover-ups are brought to light and holding those responsible to account. Any evidence and findings from the inquiry that could support putting perpetrators behind bars will be passed to the police.  

The statutory inquiry will have full legal powers under the Inquiries Act to compel witnesses to give evidence, require organisations to hand over documents and records, and make recommendations, both locally and nationwide, to make sure nothing like this happens again.  

It has also been confirmed that the inquiry will focus exclusively on grooming gangs and explicitly ask how ethnicity, religion and cultural factors impacted both the response from authorities and the perpetrators themselves. The government has committed £65 million to the inquiry and it must not take longer than 3 years, putting a stop to victims waiting endlessly for answers. The draft terms of reference will now be consulted on before being finalised by March. 

Together the 3 panellists have extensive experience in championing children’s rights, holding policing to account and navigating local government systems. These 3 appointments reflect Baroness Casey’s recommendation that the inquiry be led by a panel of experts across the critical disciplines. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 

For years, the victims of these awful crimes were ignored. First abused by vile predators, they then found themselves belittled and even blamed, when it was justice they were owed. 

Today, I have announced the Chair and panel of an inquiry which will shine a bright light on this dark moment in our history.     

They will do so alongside the victims of these awful crimes who have waited for too long to see justice done.     

This inquiry is theirs, not ours. So I call on all those present to put politics aside, for a moment, and to support this Chair and her panel in the pursuit of the truth.

Baroness Anne Longfield CBE brings 4 decades of experience in children’s advocacy and safeguarding and was recommended by Baroness Casey, who has supported the set-up of the inquiry and has agreed to be an adviser to the inquiry for as long as is needed. 

Longfield will be supported by Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as panellists, who have extensive experience in holding policing to account and local government systems. These 3 appointments reflect Baroness Casey’s recommendation that the inquiry be led by a panel of experts across the critical disciplines. 

The panellists will work directly with victims and survivors throughout the investigation, ensuring their experiences are at the heart of the inquiry and that investigations are victim-centred and trauma-informed. 

This comes amid a swathe of other activity announced by the government to tackle grooming gangs, including announcing a further £3.6 million to be invested into the policing response. 

Baroness Longfield CBE said: 

I am honoured to be asked to undertake this important role by the Home Secretary. 

The findings in Baroness Casey’s report were truly shocking, and I recognise that behind every heinous crime is a person, a child, a teenager, a family. I will never lose sight of this. 

The inquiry owes it to the victims, survivors and the wider public to identify the truth, address past failings and ensure that children and young people today are protected in a way that others were not. The inquiry will follow the evidence and will not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths wherever we find them. I am pleased to be working alongside Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as expert panellists in championing children’s rights, holding policing to account and local government systems.

The scourge of grooming gangs has not been adequately tackled over past decades. That must change and I will do everything in my power to make this happen. I am grateful to Baroness Casey for agreeing to act as adviser during the inquiry to ensure it stays true to this promise. 

Baroness Louise Casey, adviser to the inquiry, said: 

Baroness Longfield, Zoë Billingham and Eleanor Kelly have long-standing track records in advocating for children, holding police forces to account and leading on critical social issues. Together, they make a formidable team and have my full support. 

I will continue to work closely with the government to ensure the successful delivery of all my recommendations. Only by righting the wrongs of the past through the national criminal investigation, delivering this national inquiry and reforming our rape laws to make it unequivocally clear that children cannot consent to their abuse, can we truly draw a line in the sand.

A statutory inquiry was a key recommendation in Baroness Casey’s recent audit into grooming gangs, which exposed serious failings in how institutions responded to child sexual exploitation. It forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to halve violence against women and girls, ensure safer streets and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.  

In the 6 months since the government accepted all of Baroness Casey’s recommendations, significant progress has been made.  

Hundreds of previously closed investigations into abuse and exploitation are being reviewed as part of a national police operation, Operation Beaconport, focused on bringing more perpetrators to justice and getting justice for victims and survivors. The inquiry will also work closely with this police operation and any evidence or findings they uncover that could lead to a criminal charge will be passed to the police.   

The government will also bring in an automatic disregard scheme for “child prostitution” convictions and cautions, so that survivors can get on with their lives free from unjust criminalisation and stigma.

A further almost £3.75 million will be invested into the policing response, support for survivors and research into how to stop grooming gangs, with: 

• nearly £1 million for the National Crime Agency to support Operation Beaconport, with a further £2.6 million for local police forces to review closed cases identified
• £146,000 for a rapid assessment of Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVAs) services, to identify any gaps in services for supporting child victims of grooming gangs and technology-assisted sexual offences

The Home Secretary has commissioned new research from UK Research and Innovation to rectify the unacceptable gaps in our understanding of perpetrators’ backgrounds and motivations, including their ethnicity and religion.

This investment shows the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling group-based child sexual exploitation on multiple fronts – investigating past crimes and cover-ups, finding and prosecuting offenders, and preventing future abuse. 

The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 November 2025.

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished, saving the taxpayer at least £100 million and helping to fund frontline officers to cut crime.

Removing PCCs will cut the cost of unnecessary bureaucracy, money that can be better spent on restoring neighbourhood policing. At least £20 million will be reinvested every year as a result of efficiencies in police governance, enough for 320 constables. 

Since 2012, PCCs have been elected to hold forces to account, but turnout at the polls and public knowledge of who their local PCC is has been incredibly low.  

Public understanding of, and engagement with, PCCs remains low despite efforts to raise their profile. Two in five people are unaware PCCs even exist. 

Their roles will be absorbed by regional mayors wherever possible, meaning measures to cut crime will be considered as part of wider public services such as education and healthcare.  

In areas not covered by a mayor, this role will be taken on by elected council leaders. The unique circumstances of devolved local government arrangements in Wales will be taken into consideration. The government will ensure there is continuity of the support services for victims and witnesses that are currently provided by PCCs. 

The transition to the new model will happen at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028. 

The move comes as part of a major series of reforms to policing to raise national standards within the police, strengthen performance management and end the postcode lottery in crime outcome. The upcoming Police Reform White Paper will set out further powers to improve standards, while restoring local neighbourhood policing.   

Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said:   

The introduction of police and crime commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.  

I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.  

I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former police and crime commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Autumn Budget, which will focus on cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living, and driving more productive and efficient use of taxpayers’ money by rooting out waste in public services.  

Other key measures already announced by the government that will be in the white paper include a new National Centre of Policing, which will make the best use of taxpayer money by bringing together crucial support services such as IT and forensics, and a police performance unit to drive up standards. More detail on these, and a raft of other measures, will be announced for its publication.   

This ambitious reform programme will run alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which has seen named and contactable officers for every community, guaranteed police patrols in busy areas at peak times and will put 3,000 neighbourhood officers on our streets by spring next year.  

The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 November 2025.

A new law will restrict protests outside the homes of public office holders, in response to growing harassment and intimidation of those in British politics.

Public officer holders, including MPs, peers and local councillors, will be better protected from harassment and intimidation under a new law to restrict protests outside their homes. 

Under changes set out in the Crime and Policing Bill, the police will be given strengthened powers to stop this form of intimidation and abuse, and help clamp down on toxic behaviour in UK politics. This includes a new criminal offence of protesting outside the home of someone in public office where their intention is to influence them in their role or an aspect of their private life, with perpetrators facing up to 6 months’ imprisonment.

This announcement follows a concerning rise in harassment of those in public office, with the Electoral Commission reporting that over half of the candidates who stood in last year’s general election experienced some form of abuse or intimidation.

A second survey – conducted by the Speaker of the House – found that almost all MPs (96%) had experienced at least one instance of harassment or intimidation which had a corrosive effect on their ability to do their jobs.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: 

The level of abuse faced by those taking part in British politics is truly shocking – it’s a threat to our democracy. People should be able to participate in our politics without fearing for their own or their family’s safety.   

When good people choose not to put themselves forward, communities lose out and the country is poorer for it. 

As Chair of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, I am leading work across government to drive out harassment and intimidation and strengthen our protections. This measure is a serious but necessary and proportionate step. Targeting public office holders at their homes crosses a line – it’s intimidation, not protest, and we’re putting a stop to it.

Will Fletcher, Interim CEO of the Jo Cox Foundation said: 

We welcome measures to improve the safety and security of those in public office. Protesting outside someone’s home clearly poses serious safety concerns and can cause distress for the individual and their family.

Protest and robust debate are important to our democracy, and there are many ways that people can make their voices heard without crossing the line into intimidation at someone’s home. 

Through the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we work with a range of partners to address abuse towards politicians, their staff and families, and promote more respectful politics in order to strengthen our democracy.

Samantha Dixon, Minister for Democracy, said:

Intimidation and abuse of any kind is unacceptable, and I’m determined to protect those in public office so we can encourage more people to get involved in democracy.

Alongside our new stronger sentences for those who intimidate campaigners, we are going further to defend democracy and restore trust in politics.

The new protection is a major step in tackling the unacceptable harassment and intimidation faced by many public office holders and their families, and is an immediate recommendation made by the government’s Defending Democracy Taskforce as part of its wide-ranging review into this issue.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce brings together a wide range of partners including government departments, the police, parliamentary authorities, and the Electoral Commission to look at how harassment and intimidation can be tackled head on.

The government is determined to ensure that no one is deterred from representing their community or country because of fear, and today’s announcement builds on strengthened protections for elected representatives already set out in the Strategy for Modern Elections.

This includes giving the courts greater powers to impose tougher sentences on those who threatened elected officials, and removes the final loophole which requires candidates who are seeking election to publish their home address when they don’t have an office address to use.

Together, these measures will ensure greater privacy and safety for those standing for public office.

These measures follow this year’s local elections in which dedicated police officers were in place in all forces across the country for the first time, offering security briefings to support local election candidates under Operation Ford. These force elected-official advisers (FEOAs) remain in place for locally elected representatives, such as councillors, metropolitan mayors, and police and crime commissioners. Meanwhile, under Operation Bridger, a dedicated police contact continues to be provided to MPs when they are outside of the Parliamentary estate.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 28 October 2025.

New law now prevents British citizenship being reinstated automatically to people considered a national security risk following a successful initial appeal.

British people are now better protected from terrorists, extremists, and criminals involved in serious organised crime with the passing of a new law which prevents British citizenship being automatically reinstated to such individuals following a successful initial appeal. 

Receiving Royal Assent last night (27 October), the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Act 2025 will mean British citizenship is not automatically reinstated after a successful appeal until all further appeals are exhausted – ensuring the UK’s national security is not compromised during legal proceedings. 

The new law, passed by Parliament last Tuesday (21 October), closes a gap identified following a Supreme Court judgment in February 2025, where it ruled that people deprived of British citizenship automatically regain that status upon their successful appeal. This would happen even if further appeals opposing that reinstatement are possible. 

With the tightening of this law, the government will not have to release people from immigration detention or allow them back into the UK if they consider that they pose a threat to the country’s security and the public’s safety, whilst further appeals are ongoing. 

It will also prevent a person from renouncing any other nationalities they hold, to render themselves solely British. Doing so would have meant any future decision to remove British citizenship would not have been possible as it would leave them stateless, nor would they be able to be deported or blocked from returning to the UK. 

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: 

The government takes national security extremely seriously, and this new law sends a clear message: we will take no chances when it comes to protecting our country and our people.

We have strengthened our ability to keep the most dangerous people out of Britain – those who threaten our safety, our way of life, and the values we stand for. This law makes us all safer.

The Home Secretary makes deprivation decisions on ‘conducive to the public good’ grounds only in the most serious cases, where it is in the public interest to do so because of the individual’s conduct or the threat they pose to the UK. An average of 12 people a year were deprived of British citizenship between 2018 and 2023 for this reason. 

This new law follows a similar approach taken in asylum and human rights appeals cases, where asylum is not granted to a person appealing a rejection until all further appeals, up to the Court of Appeal, have been determined. 

This narrowly focussed new act, which consists of two sections, has made no change to a person’s existing right to appeal and doesn’t widen the reasons for which a person could be deprived of their citizenship.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 October 2025.

An order has been laid in Parliament to deproscribe Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), enabling closer engagement with the new Syrian government.

The government’s decision to remove Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations will mean closer engagement with the new Syrian government and support UK foreign and domestic priorities, from counter-terrorism to migration and chemical weapons destruction.  

Deproscribing HTS is part of the UK’s response to the significant developments in Syria since forces led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa toppled the Assad regime last December. HTS was originally listed as an alias of proscribed organisation Al-Qa’ida in 2017.   

The former Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria in July renewed the diplomatic relationship between the UK and Syria. The UK will continue to press for genuine progress and hold the Syrian government accountable for its actions in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in Syria and the wider region. We will continue to judge the new Syrian government on their actions not on their words. 

Daesh remains a significant threat in Syria. The deproscription of HTS will support this government’s engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria, in turn reducing the threat to the UK. 

Deproscription will also support closer working with Syria to eliminate the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme. This government welcomes the Syrian President’s commitment to destroy these weapons once and for all.  

This decision aligns with the announcement made by the United States earlier this year to remove HTS from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations.  

This government will always put the safety and security of the British people first, which is why any deproscription decision is not taken lightly. The decision to remove HTS from the proscribed list has been made following detailed consultation with operational partners and other departments, and a robust assessment by the cross-government Proscription Review Group.  

The government reserves the right to reassess proscription decisions in response to any emerging threats and will always take swift and decisive action in the interests of national security. 

The deproscription of HTS will mean that the proscription offences set out in the Terrorism Act 2000, including the offences of membership and inviting support for proscribed organisations, will no longer apply to HTS. On completion of this deproscription, a total of 83 organisations will be proscribed by the UK.