Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish an overview of the key threats they have identified to the UK's electoral processes.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

It is, and always will be, an absolute priority for this Government to protect our democratic and electoral processes. Several government publications provide an overview of key threats to the UK’s electoral processes as part of the Government’s Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan to disrupt and deter foreign influence and spying from foreign states.

The Government’s strategy for modern, secure and inclusive elections, published in July, sets out our plan to strengthen oversight of and safeguards against known and emerging threats, including foreign interference through covert political funding. We will deliver a robust and proportionate response to known risks, protecting the integrity of our system and reinforcing public trust in democracy. The strategy can be found (attached) here: Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections - GOV.UK

Additionally, on December 16^th 2025, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The terms of reference for the review can be found (attached) here: Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK

The findings of the independent review will build on both the Government’s Elections Strategy and Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan and inform the elections and democracy bill that we will bring forward this year.

Furthermore, the national technical authorities have published overviews of key threats. The guidance that the National Protective Security Agency published in October highlights the range of vectors and tactics that foreign actors are using to target individuals working in UK politics. This can be found (attached) here: Defending Democracy | National Security Act | NPSA and the NCSC published guidance for political organisations and individuals to counter the cyber threat to elections: Defending democracy - NCSC.GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish a breakdown of the number of full-time staff working on the Defending Democracy Taskforce in each year since it began.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Defending Democracy Taskforce comprises Ministers and senior officials from multiple government departments, alongside representatives from law enforcement, the Parliamentary authorities, the Electoral Commission, and the UK Intelligence Community.

The Taskforce draws on expertise and skills from across this community. However, each department remains responsible for delivery on their respective priorities for the Taskforce, and provides resources as required.

There is also a dedicated Home Office team which supports the Taskforce in its work, including delivery of time limited work, which is reflected in the changing number of full time staff. In the financial year 2022-2023 and in 2023-2024, the staffing allocation to this central team was 12 full-time staff. In 2024-2025 this allocation was 9 full time-staff and the staffing allocation for the current year, 2025-2026, is 8.5 full-time staff.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Defending Democracy Taskforce has had with (1) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and (2) the devolved administrations, about the risks of foreign interference in UK elections.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Taskforce brings Ministers and senior officials from across government together with operational partners to deliver a whole-of-government response to the threats our democracy faces. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is a core member of the Taskforce.

On 16 December 2025, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an independent review into countering foreign influence and interference in UK politics, chaired by Phillip Rycroft. This will report into both MHCLG and the Security Minister in his role as Chair of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce regularly engages with the Devolved Governments on its works. This engagement by the Taskforce and the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP), which leads on election security, will increase in run up to May’s elections.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make an annual statement to Parliament about the work and key findings of the Defending Democracy Taskforce.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

While the Security Minister is not planning an annual statement about the work of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, the Minister regularly updates Parliament about its progress and priorities, most recently as part of his November 2025 statement to the House on tackling espionage threats from China.

In addition, the Security Minister gave evidence on the work of the Taskforce to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy in March 2025, the Speaker’s Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections in April 2025 and the Joint Committee on Human Rights in relation to Transnational Repression in May 2025.

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