The UK government has introduced new legislation that would give authorities expanded powers to target organizations and individuals accused of carrying out activities on behalf of hostile foreign states.
The proposed National Security (State Threats) Bill was introduced to Parliament on June 9 and is expected to take effect as early as next month if approved. The legislation would allow the government to designate organizations linked to foreign states and apply powers similar to those used in counterterrorism cases.
Under the proposal, it would become a criminal offense to support a designated organization, assist it, or accept payment from it. Individuals convicted under the new measures could face prison sentences of up to 14 years.
According to the government, the legislation is intended to address situations where foreign states allegedly use proxy organizations, criminal groups, or other intermediaries to conduct activities such as surveillance, sabotage, intimidation, or attacks while distancing themselves from direct involvement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government would not tolerate hostile actors using third parties to carry out operations in the UK. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said foreign states are increasingly relying on proxies and that law enforcement agencies need additional tools to respond to evolving threats.
The announcement follows a series of investigations involving alleged foreign-state activity in Britain. Officials have pointed to incidents including attacks on Jewish sites, espionage cases, and operations allegedly linked to organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments. Authorities have previously accused actors connected to Iran, Russia, and China of using proxies to pursue state interests. Those countries have denied the allegations.
The government said the legislation was developed after intelligence agencies reported an increase in state-threat investigations. According to MI5, investigations related to hostile state activity rose by 35% over the past year. Officials also cited 20 allegedly Iranian-backed plots that were considered potentially lethal.
The bill would allow designated groups to be treated in a manner similar to foreign intelligence services under existing national security laws. Officials say the goal is to make it easier to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute operations conducted through intermediaries rather than directly by foreign governments.
The legislation is currently moving through Parliament, and the government has indicated that the new powers could be activated immediately once the law comes into force.