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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 10 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. It was answered by Samantha Dixon (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Political Parties: Finance

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his department's factsheet, Political Donations Overview: existing rules and what is changing, of 2 March 2026, through what mechanism will political parties be able to ascertain the past and current revenues of (a) small companies and (b) micro-entities, given the lack of profit and loss data in Companies House accounts.

Answer

The government’s position on political donation thresholds and donor permissibility is set out in legislation and in the Representation of the People Bill. The Electoral Commission will reflect any necessary changes in their guidance.

In terms of unlimited companies, where statements are not available on Companies House the company must provide revenue statements to political parties in order to make a donation.

The new rules will not exclude companies less than three years old. The reference in the factsheet to a three‑year period is intended as a window of time for assessing whether a company can demonstrate sufficient revenue. It does not operate as an age‑based restriction. Companies will be able to make political donations, provided they are able to demonstrate sufficient revenue and meet the other eligibility criteria set out in legislation.

Where a company is majority‑owned or controlled by another company, the donating company must meet the eligibility criteria in its own right. A company that does not meet those criteria would be impermissible, regardless of whether the owning company itself is permissible.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
124687
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Company accounts Finance Political parties Small businesses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk