Guidance: National Security (State Threats) Act 2026: factsheet

The National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 8 July 2026.

This legislation creates a new power for the Home Secretary to designate bodies engaged in state threat activity, equivalent to proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Designation will disrupt and deter the activities of designated bodies and those working with and supporting them.

New offences will apply to those supporting, assisting or obtaining material benefits from a designated body.

This will make it easier to disrupt proxy bodies that are designated, with offences that deal with them in the same way as foreign intelligence services.

Individuals acting for a designated body will feel the full force of our National Security legislation, with accompanying sentences of up to 14-years.

The threat to the UK from foreign states and their proxies has grown in scale and complexity, putting lives at risk and undermining our democratic values.

The National Security Act 2023 modernised the suite of powers and tools available to law enforcement to counter state threats. We have seen a number of charges and convictions under it which have significantly helped in making the UK a much tougher operating environment for states and their actors seeking to undertake hostile action.

However, new powers were needed to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation, was commissioned by the Home Office to review terrorism legislation and identify areas which could be emulated under state threats legislation.

Jonathan Hall KC’s report, published in May 2025, recommended that the Government should legislate for a new power, equivalent to terrorism proscription, but tailored to address the threat from state entities and their proxies. This legislation gives effect to that recommendation.