LONDON — Britain tightened its rules on overseas political donations on Monday, July 6, 2026. The new regulations include increased scrutiny on the origins of funding and higher thresholds for certain contributions.

Housing Minister Steve Reed stated that the efforts to restrict foreign money's influence on elections aimed to stop "dodgy funding." Political candidates are now required to declare donations exceeding £2,230 received before they become candidates. These individuals must also prove that any pre-candidacy funding originated from legitimate sources.

Under the revised rules, individuals who move to the UK from overseas must reside permanently in the country for one year before they are permitted to make a political donation of £100,000 or more. Furthermore, donations from companies will be assessed based on past post-tax profits, rather than their overall revenue. "By holding overseas donors to tougher standards and requiring candidates to prove where their funding comes from, we are taking world-leading action to protect the integrity of our elections and tackle the threats we face from abroad," Reed said.

The UK government initiated a review into foreign financial interference in politics in 2025. In March 2026, rules were announced capping donations from Britons living abroad at £100,000 annually. That same month also saw the introduction of a ban on cryptocurrency donations until an effective regulatory system for them is established. Electoral Commission data indicated that Christopher Harborne provided approximately two-thirds of Reform UK's funding last year. Additionally, a former politician in Reform UK was jailed for accepting bribes to deliver pro-Russia speeches and statements.