Source · Select Committees · Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Recommendation 8
8
Not Addressed
The Government should ensure that TNR is a high priority consideration when deciding which countries...
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that TNR is a high priority consideration when deciding which countries should be specified under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. Decisions on which countries to specify under the enhanced tier of FIRS must be guided by objective assessments of threat, not influenced by broader foreign policy considerations. We recommend that the Government specify China under the enhanced tier of FIRS. China conducts the most comprehensive TNR campaign of any foreign state operating in the UK. Its omission from the enhanced tier risks undermining the credibility and coherence of FIRS. Any attempt to specify only isolated parts of the Chinese state in the FIRS would fail to reflect the true nature and complexity of the threat, as influence operations span all sectors of the economy and lack clear command-and- control structures. (Recommendation, Paragraph 33) 41
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response discusses online guidance for individuals at risk of TNR, its review, accessibility, and integration with other resources. However, it does not address the recommendation to prioritize TNR in FIRS country designations or to specify China under the enhanced tier of FIRS.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
1. FIRS imposes registration requirements on certain activity in the UK that is directed by foreign powers or entities. The political tier provides transparency to those who may be seeking to carry out political influence activity on behalf of a foreign state. 2. The enhanced tier provides greater assurance around the activities of the foreign powers or entities which pose the greatest risk to the UK. It requires those acting in the UK at the direction of a specified foreign power or foreign power-controlled entity to register. It also requires specified foreign power- controlled entities to register activities that they carry out themselves in the UK. The activities requiring registration under the enhanced tier could include activities which may repress individuals perceived to be a threat. The Government recognises that activity amounting to transnational repression is relevant to this assessment and will ensure it is considered in decisions regarding specification under the enhanced tier. 3. The Secretary of State may specify a country or part of a country under the enhanced tier where they consider specification to be reasonably necessary to protect the safety or interests of the UK. This requires the consideration of a broad range of interests, including but not limited to, security considerations. As with all risks to the UK’s national security, the risk posed by TNR will be carefully considered as part of this process, in agreement with the Committee’s recommendation. We will continue to keep specifications on the enhanced tier under constant review to ensure we are protecting the safety and interests of the UK. Countries are considered separately for specification and any changes to the countries listed will be announced first in Parliament in the usual way. No decision has been taken on whether we should specify China on the enhanced tier of the scheme. The implementation of the political tier of the scheme on 1 July ensures that any foreign influence in our democracy, including from China, needs to be declared. This is a significant step forward in protecting our democracy from interference.
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