Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an estimate of the reduction in foreign direct investment from China from adding it to the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.

The Government is working at pace to implement the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. We have recruited a case management team and are developing the IT arrangements. We expect the scheme to commence in Summer 2025.

It would not be appropriate to comment on the scope of any specifications under the enhanced tier at this stage. Work is underway to identify which foreign powers will be placed on the enhanced tier and an impact assessment will be published alongside any regulations which specify countries on the enhanced tier of the scheme.

The proposed foreign entities to be included on the enhanced tier will be subject to formal debate and agreement by both Houses of Parliament in due course.