LONDON
New measures to protect the UK from "covert foreign influence" took effect Tuesday to strengthen national security, according to the British government.
"National security will be bolstered as the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) launches today, one of the foundations of the government’s Plan for Change" scheme, it said.
It noted that the "landmark measure" introduces an unprecedented enhanced tier, protecting our economy and society from "covert activities by Iran and Russia."
"It also introduces a new layer of accountability around political influencing activity shedding light on attempts by overseas powers to shape UK democratic processes," the government said in a statement.
"As part of the toolkit in the National Security Act 2023, FIRS will provide unprecedented insight into covert attempts by overseas powers to influence UK democratic processes, help protect our institutions from covert interference and enhance the UK’s ability to understand and respond to threats against its democratic integrity and national security," the statement read.
According to the two-tier scheme, the political tier requires registration of any arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK on behalf of a foreign power, and political communications or lobbying senior decision-makers, such as MPs and election candidates.
The statement noted that a more stringent enhanced tier applies to foreign powers considered as posing a risk to the UK’s safety or interests. "The whole of the Russian and Iranian states have been placed under this tier, after being approved by Parliament."
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said his agency welcomes legitimate engagement with all countries, but it will not tolerate covert attempts to manipulate the UK's political system or society.
"The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme gives us the tools to confront growing threats to our national security, one of the foundations of our Plan for Change, without compromising the openness that defines our democracy," he noted.
