What is The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS)?

The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) emerged out of the National Security Act 2023 (NSA 2023). The scheme outlines that currently there are a range of activities that someone could undertake under the direction of a foreign power which would seek to influence politics and policy in the UK. Currently, they would not have to make it known they are doing so under direction from that power, and this is bad for security and transparency in public life.

The Government’s solution to this is the FIRS scheme. The scheme requires registration of arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK at the direction of a foreign power.

What is a foreign power?

According to the GOV.UK the following are defined as foreign powers:

  •  the sovereign or other head of a foreign State,
  • a foreign government, or part of a foreign government (for example, a ministry or department of a foreign government);
  • an agency or authority of a foreign government, or of part of a foreign government;
  • an authority responsible for administering the affairs of an area within a foreign country or territory (for example, a local government authority in a foreign country);
  • a political party which is a governing political party of a foreign government.

 

How does this affect me and my Student Group?

If, as a group, you receive any money or other sponsorship from a foreign power you must declare it to the SU. You must also declare if your group is lobbying political figures or organisations directly on behalf of a foreign power. Failing to do so is now a criminal offence under the National Security Act 2023.

 

What counts as activity that needs to be registered? 

The government website outlines the following as political influence that must be declared:

‘Political influence activities include communications to senior decision makers such as UK ministers (and ministers of the devolved administrations), election candidates, MPs and senior civil servants. It also includes certain communications to the public where the source of the influence is not already clear, and disbursement of money, goods or services to UK persons for a political purpose’.

In context of Student Groups that means declaring if you have received money or goods from a foreign power or have been asked by a foreign government or government affiliated organisation to carry out an event or lobbying on their behalf.

This includes:

  • Money, Goods and Services provided by a Foreign Power (for example literature, handouts, freebies for fundraisers)
  • Guest Speakers representing Foreign Powers 
  • Informing us if you have any affiliations with national bodies

 

How do I declare this kind of activity? 

When you fill in a Risk Assessment on the Student Group Admin Form, you will be asked if it is an activity or sponsorship that falls under FIRS. If you answer yes, you will be prompted to provide more information so we can accurately record the activity taking place.