Political Influence Tier

The Political Influence Tier applies to arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK at the direction of any foreign power, with the exception of the Republic of Ireland.

There is a requirement to register with the scheme under the political influence tier if all of these four conditions are met:

1. A person makes an arrangement (whether formal or informal) with a “foreign power”.
2. The arrangement involves a “direction” from the foreign power.
3. The direction is to carry out “political influence activities” in the UK (whether by the registrant, or with or through someone else).
4. That no exemptions apply to the arrangement or activities.

The registration needs to be made within 28 days of entering the arrangement and will be published.

Political Influence Tier: Examples

• A research project that has been directed by a foreign power and involves political influence activities (e.g. proposing policy changes in the UK).
• A foreign power directs a UK researcher to write a policy brief that is presented to UK ministers or civil servants.
• A foreign power directs a researcher to produce a publication encouraging a particular political decision and this is not declared in the publication.
• A foreign power directs the running of a workshop encouraging take up of a particular technology and members of a political party are invited.
• A foreign power directs a student society to campaign against a UK government decision. The student society arranges a protest and seeks to influence their local MP. 

Please find more scenarios under the political influence tier in the government guidance for academia here. 

Key Points

• If there is no direction there is no registration requirement.
• If there are no political influence activities there is no registration requirement.

Anyone who believes that their work may be relevant to FIRS or if you have any questions related to the Scheme, please contact FIRS@admin.cam.ac.uk.