31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?

UK Electoral Commission 2018: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/latest-figures-political-party-donations-and-loans-published-0 

Other: House of Commons, Votes and Proceedings, 26 May 1999

"Some donations appear on the register as being from the Electoral Commission. These are Policy Development Grants, which were established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for parties represented in the Commons by two or more sitting members. The grants are intended to assist parties in developing the policies that they will present in an election manifesto. The legislation provides the total sum of £2 million annually for this purpose."  (Electoral Commission UK, 2018)

Other:

1.—(1) Financial assistance to assist an opposition party in carrying out its Parliamentary Business shall be available …

2.—(1) … financial assistance towards travelling and associated expenses necessarily incurred by an opposition party’s spokesmen in relation to the party’s parliamentary business shall be available …

3.—(1) Financial assistance shall be available for the costs necessarily incurred in the running of the Leader of the Opposition’s Office …

4. Any claims for financial assistance towards travelling expenses under paragraph 2 are to be made to the Accounting Officer of the House; and a party claiming such assistance shall

(a) Furnish that Officer with a statement of the facts on which the claim is based;

(b) Certify to that Officer that the expenses which are claimed have been incurred exclusively in relation to the party’s parliamentary business in accordance with this resolution.

House of Commons, Votes and Proceedings, 26 May 1999