The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy published a report urging the Government to amend the Representation of the People Bill to impose an immediate moratorium on political donations made through cryptocurrency until firm rules are developed, citing risks to the integrity of the political finance system and foreign influence. The Committee also recommends tighter donor eligibility rules and enforcement changes, including requiring overseas individuals to have held sufficient UK assets registered with HMRC for 12 months before donating and creating a central Political Finance Enforcement Unit within the National Crime Agency to lead and be accountable for investigations. It further calls for the Electoral Commission to develop safeguards ahead of the next General Election, for corporate donation limits to apply to the total amount per company rather than per recipient, for donors to make an explicit legal declaration that they are not donating on behalf of a foreign entity, for prison sentences to rise to three years for serious wrongdoing, and for the declaration threshold for funds received in connection with a donation to be reduced to GBP 500. The report is framed around amendments the Committee wants made during the Representation of the People Bill’s Committee Stage in the House of Commons on 18 March.
UK Parliament 2026-03-18
UK Parliament committee calls for an immediate ban on cryptocurrency political donations and an National Crime Agency-led political finance enforcement unit
The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy urges amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, including a moratorium on cryptocurrency political donations until firm rules are established. The report recommends tighter donor eligibility, a central Political Finance Enforcement Unit, and safeguards and penalties to protect political finance integrity. These amendments are proposed for consideration during the Bill’s Committee Stage in the House of Commons.