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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to the recommendation of the Independent Review into Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK Politics, published on 26 March, that foreign-funded political advertising should be banned and that imprints on printed and digital election material should include who has paid for the material; and what further steps, including legislation, they intend to take.

The Government recognises the growing risk posed by foreign interference in British politics, including through online political advertising, and agrees with the intent to eliminate the risk of foreign-funded political advertising.

In our response to the Rycroft Review, we committed to identifying the most effective and proportionate solution to this risk. This work will include consideration of the non-party campaigning rules, alongside wider options, and we will set out proposals in due course.

The Representation of the People Bill already strengthens the digital imprint regime by requiring all third-party campaigners to include imprints on their organic digital campaigning material. We are also considering further reforms to provide greater clarity on who has paid for campaigning material.