Legal Update - 17 July 2026
The National Security Act 2023 has been amended by the National Security Act (State Threats) Act 2026 to extend a number of sections and offences to designated bodies. From 17 July 2026, Schedule 6A has been inserted into the NSA 2023 and contains the first bodies designated under the Act namely, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Volunteer Corps and, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR).
Existing offences under the NSA 2023 have been end dated and new offences have been created mirroring the structure of the previous offences but also including reference to a designated body as well as a foreign power.
Unlawfully obtain or disclose protected information
H101391 end dated, new offence H102840
Unlawfully obtain or disclose trade secrets
H101392 end dated, new offence H102841
Sabotage
H101421 end dated, new offence H102842
Engage in prohibited conduct intending to have an interference effect
H101422 end dated, new offence H102843
Engage in prohibited conduct recklessly having an interference effect
H101423 end dated, new offence H102844
Engage with others in prohibited conduct intending an interference effect
H101423 end dated, new offence H102845
New sections and offences have also been inserted into the Act (NSA 2023) relating to designated bodies.
Offences relating to designated bodies
17A Supporting a designated body
- H102846 Invite support for a designated body for prohibited purpose
- H102847 Address meeting to support / further activities of designated body for prohibited purpose
- H102848 Arrange / manage meeting to support / further activities of designated body for prohibited purpose
- H102849 Arrange / manage meeting to be addressed by person belonging to designated body for prohibited purpose
17B Assisting a designated body
- H102850 Engage in conduct intending to materially assist a designated body to carry out UK related activities
- H102851 Engage in conduct likely to materially assist a designated body to carry out UK related activities
17C Obtaining etc material benefits from a designated body
- H102852 Obtain / accept / retain material benefit from designated body
- H102853 Agree to accept / provide material benefit to another on behalf of a designated body
See also sections 33A and 33B for the powers enabling the Secretary of State to designate bodies involved in foreign power threat activity and sections 33C to 33H for the removal of a designation.
See also National Security Act 2023 (Applications to Remove a Designation etc.) Regulations 2026 setting out the formal procedure to remove a designation.
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