EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Part 4 of the National Security Act 2023 (c. 32) contains the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme (“the scheme”). Four categories of activities or arrangements are required to be registered with the Secretary of State under the scheme:

(1) foreign activity arrangements (section 65),

(2) activities of specified persons (section 68),

(3) foreign influence arrangements (section 69), and

(4) political influence activities of foreign powers where there is misrepresentation in relation to a person working for the foreign power (section 72).

These Regulations set out the information to be registered in relation to each category (regulations 3 to 6). The nature of the information relates both to the person in respect of whom the registration is made (Schedule 1) and the nature of the activities or arrangements to be registered (Schedules 2 to 5).

Where registration is undertaken by a representative of a person (for example, a professional adviser), information about both persons must be provided (regulation 7). Registration must be in writing (regulation 8), as must notifications to the Secretary of State of material changes (regulation 8).

Regulation 10 makes provision, where the Secretary of State issues an information notice to a person (under section 75 of the Act), for the minimum period which must be allowed to comply with it.

Regulation 11 allows the Secretary of State to disclose information provided under the scheme for various public interest purposes.

Regulation 12 concerns five yearly review.

A full impact assessment of the effect that the scheme will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector was published in relation to the National Security Act 2023 and is available on www.gov.uk(1) or by writing to the State Threats Unit, Homeland Security Group, Home Office, 2 Marsham Street SW1P 4DF.