Investigatory Powers Commissioner: 2025 Annual Report

(Limited Text - Ministerial Extracts only)

Thursday 29th October 2026 Written Statements

[The Prime Minister (Andy Burnham)]

I have today laid before both Houses a copy of the annual report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, the right hon. the Lord Leveson of Liverpool. This report covers the activities of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office and the Technology Advisory Panel for 2025.

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner provides independent oversight of the use of investigatory powers, as outlined in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. This oversight encompasses the inspection and authorisation by judicial commissioners of the use of these powers by over 600 public authorities. This includes the intelligence and security services and law enforcement agencies.

Overall, the report provides a positive assessment of the use of investigatory powers during the reporting period, finding that they continue to be exercised in accordance with the IPA 2016 and other relevant legislation. Lord Leveson notes the strong commitment to compliance demonstrated by those authorities within his remit, and their constructive engagement with IPCO’s oversight regime. While the report identifies a number of issues and areas for improvement, he is satisfied that our agencies and departments are working with IPCO to address them.

Maintaining public trust and confidence in the exercise of investigatory powers is vital for national security and public safety. This report demonstrates the high quality of oversight of our intelligence and security services and public authorities’ use of the most intrusive powers. I am satisfied that our oversight arrangements are among the strongest and most effective in the world.

Alongside its core authorisation and oversight functions, IPCO took on a significant additional responsibility in 2025: leading the independent investigation into the Agent X case following the High Court’s judgment. Lord Leveson and his team have delivered this important work while continuing to discharge their day-to-day responsibilities to the highest standard.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Lord Leveson, the judicial commissioners and the IPCO team for their hard work throughout 2025. Their professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment help to ensure that the UK remains a world leader in the oversight of investigatory powers.

In accordance with section 234(6)(b) of the IPA, I wish to notify both Houses that there is material considered too sensitive for the open report, on which I have been briefed separately. The contents of this open report are not prejudicial to national security or ongoing investigations.

I will be sending a copy of this report to Scottish Ministers, as required under section 234(8) of the IPA.

[HCWS430]