Defence Legislation

Laws and policies relating to military operations, defense procurement, armed forces administration, and national security strategy.

The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2025

This order amends the Terrorism Act 2000 by adding Palestine Action, Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC), and Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) to the list of proscribed organizations.

The order cites the Secretary of State's belief that these organizations engage in terrorism, and it was approved by both Houses of Parliament.

The order also includes an explanatory note which clarifies that the entry for Palestine Action refers specifically to the UK based organization, and declares no significant impact on public or private sectors is expected, therefore a full impact assessment was not considered necessary.

The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2022 regulations to incorporate UN Security Council Resolution 2752 (2024).

This resolution expands the arms embargo on Haiti to include a broader spectrum of military goods and related items.

The amendments update definitions, clarify prohibitions on the transfer of military technology and the provision of associated financial services or technical assistance, and introduce new offenses relating to these broader sanctions.

The regulations also modify existing penalties to match the updated prohibitions.

The National Security Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

These regulations, the second set under the National Security Act 2023, bring into effect Part 4 of that Act, specifically the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.

This scheme starts on July 1st, 2025, and applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The regulations cite the power conferred by section 100(1) of the 2023 Act and provide for detailed commencement information.

An impact assessment is available online and in hard copy.

The National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Exemptions for Certain Foreign Power Investment Funds, Education, Government Administration and Public Bodies) Regulations 2025

These regulations, enacted under the National Security Act 2023, exempt specific categories of activities from the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.

The exemptions cover certain foreign power investment funds focused primarily on overseas investments, educational arrangements supporting students in the UK, administrative and technical services provided by foreign powers, and arrangements involving UK public bodies (excluding those related to political influence).

The aim is to streamline the registration process while maintaining national security.

The National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Publication) Regulations 2025

These regulations mandate the Secretary of State to publish information from the National Security Act 2023's foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme on a public website. Publication includes details of registered foreign activity and foreign influence arrangements, subject to exceptions for national security, crime prevention, individual safety, and commercially sensitive information.

The information remains published for up to ten years, depending on the arrangement's duration.

The regulations specify precisely which information must be made public for each registration type.

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the 2010 Private Security Industry Act exemptions concerning aviation security.

They clarify licensing requirements for individuals involved in airport security (screening, access control) and update references.

The changes exempt certain persons from licensing under the 2001 Act due to alternative arrangements being deemed sufficient for maintaining aviation security.

The regulations also revoke the 2012 amendment regulations.

The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective June 23, 2025, amend existing aviation security legislation.

Specifically, they remove Chapters 3 (aircraft security) and 7 (air carrier mail and air carrier materials) from Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and were signed by Mike Kane, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.

The Firearms Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2025

The Firearms Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2025 bring into force sections 1 and 2 of the Firearms Act 2023 on May 1st, 2025.

Section 1 clarifies the rules regarding miniature rifles at shooting galleries, allowing their use without a firearms certificate under certain conditions.

Section 2 introduces a new offense for possessing ammunition components with the intent to manufacture ammunition.

The regulations extend to England, Wales, and Scotland.