The measures require political candidates to disclose donations exceeding £2,230 received before they officially become candidates and to demonstrate that such funding originated from legitimate sources. The changes were announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of a broader effort to reinforce transparency in political financing.

Housing Minister Steve Reed said the new framework would subject overseas-linked donations to stricter scrutiny while requiring candidates to verify the origin of their funding. He said the reforms were intended to protect the integrity of British elections and counter external threats to the country’s democratic system.

The latest reforms follow a government-commissioned review launched last year into foreign financial interference in politics. The review was ordered after a former Reform UK politician was jailed for accepting bribes in exchange for making speeches and public statements supporting Russia.

According to the review, Britain continues to face persistent attempts by foreign governments, including Russia, China and Iran, to influence and undermine its democratic institutions. The findings prompted ministers to introduce additional safeguards governing political donations and campaign finance.

Under the revised rules, individuals who move to Britain from overseas must now reside permanently in the country for at least one year before they are permitted to make political donations of £100,000 or more. Company donations will also face tighter assessment, with eligibility based on post-tax profits rather than company revenue, a change designed to ensure that only businesses with genuine economic ties to the United Kingdom can make substantial political contributions.

The measures build on reforms announced in March that limited annual political donations by British citizens living abroad to £100,000 and imposed a ban on cryptocurrency donations until an effective regulatory framework is established.

The announcement comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over political funding. Farage is being investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog over whether he should have declared a £5 million donation from Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne, which was made before Farage announced his candidacy for Parliament.

Reform UK has maintained that no rules were broken in connection with the donation, noting that Harborne provided roughly two-thirds of the party’s funding last year, according to Electoral Commission data.

On Sunday, Farage was also referred to Parliament’s standards watchdog following a report alleging that he failed to declare additional benefits. The investigation adds to growing political attention on campaign finance and disclosure requirements as Britain prepares for future electoral contests.

The government said the strengthened regulations are intended to enhance confidence in the political system by increasing transparency and making it more difficult for foreign-linked money to influence British elections through candidates, individuals or corporate donors.