FAQs about the Service
- What is the difference between MI5 and MI6?
- Is MI5 a government department?
- What is MI5's annual budget?
- Do you produce an annual report?
- How can I find out if you have a file on me?
- I think MI5 is spying on me. How do I complain?
- Why do you refuse to reveal anything from your files?
- A relative of mine used to work for MI5. Can you provide details about their former work?
- How realistic is the depiction of MI5 in the television series "Spooks"?
- How can I become an MI5 agent?
1. What is the difference between MI5 and MI6?
The Security Service (MI5), based at Thames House in London, is the UK's security intelligence Agency, responsible for protecting the UK, its citizens and interests, at home and overseas, against the major threats to national security. Jonathan Evans is responsible for the work of the Security Service, for which the Home Secretary has Parliamentary accountability. Meanwhile, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), based at Vauxhall Cross in London, is primarily responsible for gathering intelligence outside the UK in support of the government's security, defence, foreign and economic policies. Sir John Scarlett is responsible for the work of SIS, for which the Foreign Secretary is accountable in Parliament.
2. Is MI5 a government department?
No. Although the Security Service Act 1989 places the Security Service under the authority of the Secretary of State - in practice the Home Secretary - the Service operates independently of government. We do not formulate or implement government policy, although we do advise government on the nature of the threats to national security and protective security measures. The Security Service Act 1989 sets out the Director General's legal responsibility to ensure that the Service is apolitical; the government of the day therefore cannot instruct the Service to perform any task for party political reasons (see also Oversight).
3. What is MI5's annual budget?
The Security Service's budget is paid from the Single Intelligence Account (SIA). This also funds the work of the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ. The Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator is the Accounting Officer of the SIA. The SIA for 2004/05, as announced in the Spending Review 2004 (new window), is £1,296 million, rising to £1,553 million in 2007/08. A detailed breakdown of the funding allocation for each of the three security and intelligence agencies is not published for security reasons.
4. Do you produce an annual report?
In accordance with the Security Service Act 1989, the Director General does produce an annual report on the work of the Service for the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary. This report is classified. No version is made available to the public. Reports on the work of the Service are published by the Independent Oversight Commissioners and the Intelligence and Security Committee, however.
5. How can I find out if you have a file on me?
The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) gives individuals the right to apply for access to personal data relating to them - this is known as a "subject access request". An exemption from the provisions of the DPA is available where such exemption is required for the purposes of safeguarding national security. Subject access requests should be made in writing and a fee may be charged. The Security Service's "Data Controller" considers on a case by case basis whether exemption from the access provisions is required and justified. Members of the public who are not satisfied with a reply to a subject access request may appeal to the Information Tribunal - see "Access to Information" for further details.
6. I think MI5 is spying on me. How do I complain?
The Security Service only investigates individuals whose activities fall within the remit set out in the Security Service Act 1989. If, however, you believe you have been the subject of improper enquiries or other actions by the Security Service, you can complain to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This independent Tribunal considers complaints relating to the activities covered by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and also hears proceedings brought under the Human Rights Act 1998. The address of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal is: PO Box 33220, London SW1H 9ZQ.
7. Why do you refuse to reveal anything from your files?
Confidentiality is essential to protect details of our investigations and operational techniques and therefore to maintain our effectiveness. However, some information may be released under certain circumstances. For example, "subject access requests" under the Data Protection Act 1998 are considered on a case by case basis (see question 5), and declassified historical files are transferred to The National Archives as part of our records release programme. In addition, access to our files may be granted to some external bodies. In the context of criminal proceedings, for example, the prosecuting authorities are permitted to look at our records. The Investigator to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and other tribunals, such as the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), may also access Service papers when required.
8. A relative of mine used to work for MI5. Can you provide details about their former work?
We cannot confirm whether someone who is still alive worked for the Security Service because to do so could endanger them or the people with whom they worked. If you believe that a deceased member of your family worked for the Security Service, you can write to us via the Contact Us page of this website or our PO Box 3255 address, giving details of your relative and the purpose of your enquiry. We shall then consider all the circumstances of the case and what information may be released.
9. How realistic is the depiction of MI5 in the television series "Spooks"?
The BBC's "Spooks" is a slickly-produced and entertaining drama, but, like other works of spy fiction, it glamorises the world of intelligence. The nature of our work can certainly be stimulating and highly rewarding (as the show's strapline declares, it is not "9 to 5"), but the programme does not portray the full range of our activities, nor the routine, but vitally important, aspects of our operations which would not make such exciting viewing. Particularly unrealistic is the way in which the characters in "Spooks" regularly act outside the law in pursuit of their investigations! If you want to find out what working for the Security Service is really like, go to the About MI5 section of this site and visit the MI5 recruitment website.
10. How can I become an MI5 agent?
First of all, employees of the Security Service are not called "agents". Our staff are recruited to a variety of roles according to the procedures outlined on the MI5 recruitment website. We use the term "agents" to describe Covert Human Intelligence Sources - one of the most important sources of secret intelligence. Agents are not members of the Security Service and there are no formal application procedures as such. Agent operations, run strictly in accordance with the relevant legislation, are handled by specially trained Security Service officers, and the safety of the agents and their families is always paramount. If you know something specific about a threat to national security, such as terrorism, we would like to hear from you. You can send us your information in confidence on the How you can help page of this website (an alternative telephone number and address are also provided). If you would like us to get in touch with you, please also include your contact details.
