"Significant human rights issues" in Britain "worsened" last year, the US Government has said.

A new report from the US State Department has handed the UK a damning new report card on the state of free speech this side of the Atlantic.

The State Department's annual Human Rights Practices report said there were "credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression".

A new report from the US State Department has handed the UK a damning new report card on the state of free speech

The review covers "internationally recognised individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements".

According to the report, although the law in the UK "generally provided for freedom of speech", there were "specific areas of concern" regarding "restrictions on political speech deemed 'hateful' or 'offensive'".

The State Department also draws attention to Public Spaces Protection Orders, which give councils the power to ban certain activities in some public places in order to prevent antisocial behaviour.

It also allows authorities to create "safe access zones" around abortion clinics which the Home Office says are put in place to protect women from harassment or distress.

The department stated there were 'significant human rights issues' in the UK

Legislation in place which prevents the discussion of ongoing court cases to avoid prejudicing them, as well as the Online Safety Act, are also singled out as restricting free speech.

Referencing the Southport attacks, the report states: "National Government officials repeatedly intervened to chill speech as to the identity and motives of the attacker."

Also highlighted by the State Department are "credible reports of crimes, violence, and threats of violence motivated by antisemitism" since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.

But the report also hails the Government for "effectively enforcing laws protecting freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right of workers to engage in a strike or other industrial action".

Donald Trump has been scathing about the state of free speech in the UK

It is not the first time in recent weeks that the US has criticised the state of free speech in the UK.

At the end of last month, Donald Trump's administration warned Keir Starmer not to censor American tech companies through the Online Safety Act.

American officials said they were monitoring developments regarding the Online Safety Act in Britain with "great interest and concern".

"President Trump has made it clear that free speech is one of our most cherished freedoms as Americans," a US State Department official told The Telegraph.

Last week the US Vice President gave the UK Foreign Secretary a direct warning about free speech

Earlier this month, the White House said it was "greatly concerned" about free speech in Britain after it was revealed there is a secretive Whitehall "spy" unit which targets social media posts which criticise migrant hotels and "two-tier policing".

Then, last week, the US Vice President gave the UK Foreign Secretary a direct warning about free speech.

In a meeting with David Lammy, JD Vance said: "The entire collective West... got a little too comfortable censoring rather than engaging with a diverse range of opinions."

In response to the report made by the US State Department, a UK government spokesman said: "Free speech is vital for democracy around the world including here in the UK and we are proud to uphold freedoms whilst keeping our citizens safe."