National Security (State Threats) Act 2026

The National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Its full description is "An Act to make provision for the designation of bodies involved in foreign power threat activity; to create offences relating to bodies designated under this Act; and for connected purposes." It introduces a new category of foreign state-controlled organisations which are illegal to support, assist or accept "material benefit" from.^[1]

Long titleAn Act to make provision for the designation of bodies involved in foreign power threat activity; to create offences relating to bodies designated under this Act; and for connected purposes

Citation2026 c. 24

Introduced by

• Shabana Mahmood
• Lord Hanson of Flint

Territorial extent

• England and Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

^[b]

Quick facts Long title, Citation ...

National Security (State Threats) Act 2026^[a]

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to make provision for the designation of bodies involved in foreign power threat activity; to create offences relating to bodies designated under this Act; and for connected purposes
Citation	2026 c. 24
Introduced by	Shabana Mahmood Lord Hanson of Flint
Territorial extent	England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland [b]
Dates
Royal assent	8 July 2026
Commencement	8 July 2026[c]
Other legislation Amends Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 Criminal Justice Act 1988 Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 Terrorism Act 2000 Criminal Justice Act 2003 Armed Forces Act 2006 Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 Sentencing Act 2020 National Security Act 2023 Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended
Text of the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Close

The government has stated that the act will allow it to proscribe state-associated bodies not already covered by existing laws.^[2] The BBC suggested in June 2026 that the government might use it to proscribe organizations such as the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.^[1]

Sir Ken McCallum, the Director General of the domestic counter-intelligence and security agency MI5 welcomed the introduction of the Bill, stating that it would build "on the important powers in the National Security Act 2023, which are already being heavily used" and "help us tackle the growing threat from proxy organisations, which are being increasingly used by states attempting to deniably target the UK".^[3]

At the time of its discussion as a bill in parliament, multiple media sources described it as a threat to journalism and humanitarian activities unless it was amended to prevent legitimate activities from being classified as illegally receiving "material benefit" from such organizations in the form of information.^[4][5][6]