Skip to main content

Written question asked by Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 28 April 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 May 2020. It was answered by Lord True (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 May 2020 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.


Constituencies

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the timetable for the next parliamentary boundary reorganisation process under the 2011 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act; what is the estimated cost for completing the work to be undertaken by the four Boundary Commissions under present legislation; and what plans they have to suspend the process.

Answer

Under existing legislation (Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 as amended by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011), the next UK parliamentary boundary review is due to begin in early 2021 and to be completed before 1 October 2023.

The annual expenditure of the Boundary Commissions for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is, under current legislation, published in their respective annual reports which are available on their individual websites.

The Government’s plans with respect to UK parliamentary constituencies and boundary reviews were set out in a written statement of 24 March, ‘Update: Strengthening Democracy’ (HLWS179). The Government introduced primary legislation to set the framework of future boundary reviews, including the next review due to begin in early 2021, on 19 May.

The Government has engaged with stakeholders, including the political parties represented in the UK Parliament on its proposals, and taken into account reports made by the former Political and Constitutional Reform Committee and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and representations made by Members of the House.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3546
Session
2019-21
Related items
Update: Strengthening Democracy
Tuesday, 24 March 2020
Written statements
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Boundary commissions Constituencies Costs
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk