Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the proposed policy to restrict foreign donors from giving funds to UK political parties.

We are bringing forward a package of reforms which represents a substantial tightening of the UK’s political finance system. These measures will introduce strict new requirements on political donations to reduce the risk of foreign money entering UK politics. While the law already prohibits foreign donations, it is clear that the threat of foreign interference is evolving, becoming increasingly hostile and sophisticated.

Under new legislation, we will require enhanced checks by recipients of donations to consider the risk of political donations being illegitimate, ensure political donors declare any benefit or sources of funding connected to their donation and tighten the rules around company donations by allowing them to donate only if they have a genuine connection to the UK or Ireland.

The rules around political donations must be abided by regardless of the type of donation made, which includes donations made using cryptocurrency. Political donations can only be accepted from permissible sources, and the recipients of donations must make an honest assessment of the value of the donation at the time they receive it. The Electoral Commission provides guidance on donations, including for non-standard donations such as those made in cryptocurrencies.