FIRS will protect the UK against foreign manipulation
Russian and Iranian flags (Credit: Nataliia Babkina / Alamy Stock Photo)
4 min read
As Security Minister, I see daily how foreign powers are evolving their tactics – using proxies instead of diplomats, and common criminals in place of professional spies.
As geopolitical rivalries fracture the post-Cold War consensus, adversaries increasingly seek to undermine trust in democratic institutions. Westminster, as the heart of our democracy, is a prime target for both subtle influence and direct interference.
Our Plan for Change puts our national security first. That’s why the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which came into force on 1 July, is not merely a tool for government, but a safeguard for Parliament, and one which gives us the ability to confront growing threats. If you are a Member of Parliament, it is essential that you understand how the political influence tier of this scheme works and what it means for your role.
FIRS introduces a legal requirement for individuals acting at the direction of a foreign power to register political influence activity carried out in the UK. This includes attempts to influence parliamentary debates, party policy, legislation, or government decisions. The scheme does not criminalise the contact or engagement; rather, it brings transparency to the influence of foreign states in our political system.
As Members of Parliament, you are at the centre of public decision-making, and therefore a key target for covert influence. It is a fundamental part of our democracy that constituents, businesses and interest groups can contact their MPs to advance issues or influence political decisions. But we cannot allow this right to be abused or eroded by states that seek to covertly manipulate our democratic processes.
You have a right to know when someone engaging with you may be doing so on behalf of a foreign government. Equally, the public has a right to that transparency. That is why political influence activities will appear on a public register. For the first time, you will now be able to consult the register and understand who is trying to influence you and see on whose behalf they may be acting. This is a welcome development for parliamentarians and Parliament as a whole.
Crucially, FIRS does not place any reporting duties on parliamentarians who are the targets or recipients of political influence activities. The obligation to register lies with the individual or organisation acting under the direction of a foreign power. This ensures that the burden of compliance does not fall on MPs, but that transparency is still achieved.
It is also important to stress that FIRS does not restrict legitimate international engagement. MPs will continue to meet with foreign diplomats, attend international conferences, and engage in global dialogue. What FIRS insists upon is that where foreign powers are shaping UK politics, they do so in plain sight.
Importantly, the scheme includes an enhanced tier, which targets the most serious threats to the UK’s national security and democratic integrity. Russia and Iran have already been designated under this tier, reflecting the scale and persistence of their covert activities. Individuals working on behalf of these states must register their activities or face criminal penalties. However, this registration requirement does not apply to the targets of influence, only those doing the influencing.
In the unlikely event that a parliamentarian agrees to undertake political influencing activity on behalf of a foreign state, they may now be required to register with FIRS. Comprehensive guidance is available online to help clarify what is and is not in scope of the scheme.
Ultimately, this scheme relies on a shared commitment to openness and accountability. It is designed to protect the democratic values we all uphold. In a world where the lines between diplomacy, influence and interference are increasingly blurred, transparency is our strongest safeguard against manipulation.
FIRS is not about limiting engagement – it is about ensuring that influence is declared, visible and accountable. As parliamentarians, your awareness and understanding of this scheme are vital to its success and to the continued resilience of our democratic institutions.
Dan Jarvis, Security Minister and Labour MP for Barnsley North
