Defence Legislation

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

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.

The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025

The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025 clarifies the calculation of penalties for non-compliance with designated vendor directions under the Communications Act 2003.

It specifies the relevant business activities to be included in turnover calculations for penalty purposes and amends the Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Penalties) (Rules for Calculation of Turnover) Order 2003 to replace references to "notified provider" with "person." This ensures consistency with the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and provides a clearer framework for penalty enforcement.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2025

This order implements the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 across the UK. It mandates information sharing and review processes by UK law enforcement bodies regarding Level 2 disclosures, mirroring existing duties of Scottish law enforcement.

It also amends relevant acts to ensure consistency and defines key terms like "UK law-enforcement body." The order addresses payment for services rendered under its provisions and outlines guidance issuance by the Scottish Ministers.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) (Provision of Information) Order 2025

This Order amends the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 to allow the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to share barred list information with several non-territorial police forces within the UK and those in the Crown Dependencies.

The amendment adds these forces to the list of recipients in section 50A(3) of the Act, improving information sharing to better safeguard vulnerable groups and enhance national security.

The Order received parliamentary approval and extends to England and Wales, coming into force the day after its enactment.

The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025

The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 7th, 2025, updates the rates of pensions and allowances payable under the 1983 Scheme to civilians injured or killed during World War II. The amendment replaces the tables in Schedules 3 and 4 outlining these rates, adjusting them to current values.

The order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.