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Written question asked by Lord Rennard (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 28 February 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 March 2022. It was answered by Lord Greenhalgh (Conservative) on Monday, 14 March 2022 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Political Parties: Expenditure

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of political parties that would be able to raise and spend more than the present national limit on party expenditure in a general election, based on expenditure in general elections since 2000; and which parties that includes.

Answer

Election spending limits are fixed in absolute terms. This requires them to be updated by inflation from time to time. The underlying primary legislation passed by Parliament explicitly provides for this.

In 2020 government officials consulted with representatives of the Local Government Association, political groups, the Parliamentary Parties panel and other political parties on uprating spending limits at reserved polls. Naturally a range of views were received during these consultations, however, it is for these groups to make public their position on this matter, not the Government.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statements published on 3 December 2020 HCWS618; HLWS610 (attached) the Government intends to review both candidate and party spending limits, at reserved polls with a view to uprating them by inflation. We cannot, however, comment on any specific figures until the necessary review has concluded.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL6502
Session
2021-22
Attachment
Written Statement
Related items
Uprating of Election Spending Limits
Thursday, 3 December 2020
Written statements
House of Commons
Uprating of Election Spending Limits
Thursday, 3 December 2020
Written statements
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Expenditure Political parties Uprating
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk