Espionage: China
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the oral statement of 19 November 2025, Official Report, Column 614, on China Espionage: Government Security Response, whether political parties will be given information on individuals or companies which may be proxies for hostile state actors.
Answered by Samantha Dixon
In October, the National Protective Security Agency launched specific guidance to help Members of Parliament, councillors, mayors, and their staff better understand and protect themselves from threats like espionage and foreign interference. This guidance provides simple, effective steps to safeguard individuals, their teams, and the integrity of democratic processes: Protecting our Democratic Institutions: Countering Espionage and Foreign Interference | Defending Democracy | NPSA.
On 16 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The purpose of the Rycroft review is to provide an in-depth assessment of the current financial rules and safeguards that regulate political parties and political finance and make recommendations. The terms of reference for the review can be found here: Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference.
Given the review’s independence, we cannot pre-empt specifics of the ground it will cover, nor the recommendations it will make. It is right that the review is independent of Government and independent of any political party. Review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →