On Apr. 1, 2025, UK GVT issued the consultation response; feedback has helped shape the guidance to better reflect real-life scenarios and clarify registration requirements.
A total of 18 responses were received to the public consultation from the following sectors: research, academia and higher education; charities and humanitarian organizations; legal sector; business, finance and public relations; media.
A revised version of the guidance, which has taken into account feedback from the consultation, has been published alongside the consultation response.
Various guidance brings together information about the foreign influence registration scheme to help you decide if you are affected and what you will need to do to register.
The foreign influence registration scheme comes into force on Jul. 1, 2025.
In Mar. 2025, UK GVT introduced foreign influence registration scheme, see #249116.
On Sep. 8, UK GVT consulted on foreign influence scheme guide.
UK GVT consulted on draft guidance for Foreign influence registration scheme (FIRS).
Foreign Influence Registration Scheme
FIRS is upcoming two-tier scheme to provide transparency on influence of foreign powers in UK politics, provide assurance on activities of specified foreign powers.
Home Office will be publishing guidance and establishing a scheme management unit.
Political influence tier of FIRS requires individuals or entities to register where they are directed by a foreign power to carry out political influence activities in the UK.
Enhanced tier requires individuals, entities to register where they act at direction of specified foreign powers or foreign power-controlled entities which pose a risk to UK.
It will also require specified entities to register their own activities in the UK.
UK continues to welcome open, transparent engagement from foreign governments.
Those who comply with future registration requirements under scheme by being clear, open about whom they represent, will support resilience of the UK and its institutions.
Consultation Purpose
Ahead of FIRS scheme coming into force, Home Office will publish detailed guidance to assist potential registrants and others in understanding responsibilities under scheme.
Home Office is seeking feedback on draft guidance as part of this consultation.
UK GVT will also be setting out in regulations categories of registered information to be published under scheme, retention of information on public register, circumstances where information provided as part of registration may be exempt from publication.
This consultation also seeks to inform the development of these regulations.
Effectiveness
Consultation closes on Dec. 1, 2023.
Feb. 12, 2024 Research Panel Link
On Feb. 12, 2024, UK GVT issued a link to join Home Office research panel to offer feedback on digital services being created for Foreign influence registration scheme.
Apr. 2025 Consultation Response and Guidance
On Apr. 1, 2025, UK GVT issued the consultation response; feedback has helped shape the guidance to better reflect real-life scenarios and clarify registration requirements.
A total of 18 responses were received to the public consultation from the following sectors: research, academia and higher education; charities and humanitarian organizations; legal sector; business, finance and public relations; media.
A revised version of the guidance, which has taken into account feedback from the consultation, has been published alongside the consultation response.
Various guidance brings together information about the foreign influence registration scheme to help you decide if you are affected and what you will need to do to register.
