What is happening to civic space in the UK? Latest trends and analysis 

From arrests and harsher sentencing of peaceful protesters to widespread use of surveillance and facial recognition technology, as well as voter ID restrictions contributing to a lower turnout in the general election, civic space in the UK has continued to come under pressure over the past 12 months.  

Although 2024 brought a change in government, little has improved for our civic space, which we define as the political, legal and regulatory environment in which civil society exists. UK civic space remains ‘obstructed’ according to the CIVICUS Monitor, after it was downgraded in 2023.  

Our new report, the second in our annual series, identifies nine new trends that are shaping the environment for civil society in the UK.  

Our hope is that by discussing these trends, civil society and campaigners are better informed about the changing operating environment in the UK and can use this knowledge to campaign for change. 

What has happened in UK civic space over the past 12 months? 

Trend 1: Climate and environmental protesters are being handed longer sentences and are receiving stricter penalties.  

Over the last 12 months, we have seen how legislation passed by previous governments has enabled judges to hand out much longer sentences to peaceful protesters and has allowed police to arrest activists for merely planning a protest deemed too disruptive.  

The new government have not made any changes to these laws, instead choosing to pursue the previous government’s appeal against human rights organisation Liberty on the introduction of further anti-protest measures in 2023.  

Trend 2: There are rising concerns over the policing of pro-Palestine demonstrations  

There have been several times that pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been subject to strict restrictions and policing. Universities are also cracking down on pro-Palestine demonstrations by launching disciplinary investigations on students and staff in connection to their involvement with pro-Palestine activism.  

Trend 3: Facial recognition and surveillance technology are becoming more widespread.  

UK police forces’ use of facial recognition technology is becoming more common. Police forces have introduced live facial recognition technology into new areas and have used this technology to monitor peaceful gatherings and identify those attending them, potentially infringing on privacy rights.  

Trend 4: There is an increased understanding of the possible impacts of artificial intelligence  

AI technology is developing rapidly, and it’s potential to have both a positive and negative impact on civic space is becoming increasingly apparent. While it offers some benefits, such as improving fact-checking, it also poses potential threats to privacy rights and can fuel misinformation, among other concerns.  

Trend 5: The first attempts at regulating AI prioritises growth and security over human rights  

We have seen the emergence of the first international treaties and agreements seeking to regulate AI. While the agreements capture positive requirements and aim to align AI developments with human rights, democracy and the rule of law, the UK and other states have pushed for blanket exemptions for national security and national defence.  

Trend 6: Civil society less outspoken during general elections  

Civil society brings diverse voices to public debate, which is beneficial for a healthy, democratic environment and essential during elections. However, since the expansion of non-party campaigning rules in 2014, civil society appears to have become less active and outspoken at each subsequent general election. The multiple layers of campaigning rules during an election period, which are often complex to understand and sometimes contradictory, can make campaigners nervous about speaking out or engaging in campaigning in case they accidentally overstep the mark, a trend we saw again at the 2024 General Election. 

Trend 7: A growing call for increased integrity of elections  

Despite the Labour government winning by a significant majority, voter turnout in the 2024 general election was the lowest it has been since 2001 and was 7.6% lower than the 2019 election. Though there are various factors that could contribute to the low voter turnout rates, it’s clear that strict regulations such as voter ID requirements deterred and prevented legitimate voters from engaging in last year’s election.  

Trend 8: A change in tone towards some in civil society, but few policy changes yet  

The Labour government have adopted a positive tone towards working in partnership, and have announced plans to introduce a Civil Society Covenant to reset the relationship between government and civil society. However, despite the shift in tone and promise of a better relationship, they are yet to take any action to reverse the repressive laws and policies brought in by the previous government that undermined civic space. 

Trend 9: The stigmatisation of campaigners and communities who challenge government reforms  

Though the government’s position is generally more positive towards a better relationship with civil society, ministers, including the prime minister, have referred to people opposing their plans for carbon capture, usage and storage technology and infrastructure project as “nimbys”, ”blockers”, “net zero extremists” and “self-righteous virtue signalling protesters”.   

As we approach the end of the first year of this Labour government, we maintain our asks that the current government should independently review and then repeal the repressive anti-protest laws passed by the previous government, better engage with civil society in policy changes and decision-making processes,  and take steps to better protect the right of charities and civil society groups to speak out.