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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Samantha Dixon (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 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 the press release entitled Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections, of 6 July 2026, whether political parties will be retrospectively required to return donations from 25 March 2026 to 5 July 2026 that do not comply with the minimum residency requirement in relation to former overseas electors or former non-registered electors who were residing abroad.

Answer

The minimum residency requirement which was announced by Government on 6 July 2026 will apply to any registered overseas elector who then registered domestically from 25 March 2026 onwards. For registered overseas electors who register domestically this year, the minimum residency period will apply until 1 January 2028.

For non-registered individuals who were residing abroad, the modified minimum residency requirement applies from 6 July.

Donations from before commencement which exceed the cap, either outright or when aggregated with other donations and regulated transactions in the same year, must be returned within 60 days of commencement of the provisions in the Representation of the People Bill.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18015
Session
2026-27
Subjects
British nationals abroad Finance Political parties
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk