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Political Finance Database

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

2016
2018
Bans and limits on private income
Public funding
Regulations of spending
Reporting, oversight and sanctions
Question Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?
Code
Yes
Comment
In the UK system a donation to a political party is defined as a contribution exceeding ?500 [I$ 820]. Foreigners cannot make donations since they are not listed as permissible donors, except where they support international travel, accommodation or subsistence by party officers/staff (as long as the amount is 'reasonable').
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
Code
No
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
Code
No
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
Code
No
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
Code
Yes, above certain threshold
Comment
Ban applies to anonymous donations exceeding ?50 [I$ 82].
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
Code
No
Source

Art 54.2.b, [permissible donors include] '(b) a company?(i) registered under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and (ii) incorporated within the United Kingdom or another member State,which carries on business in the United Kingdom;' [no specific provision for corporations with partial government ownership or government contracts] (Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, 2000)

 
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
Code
No
Comment

Donations to candidates largely follow the same rules as to political parties.

Source

Art 54.2.b, [permissible donors include] '(b) a company?(i) registered under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and (ii) incorporated within the United Kingdom or another member State,which carries on business in the United Kingdom;' [no specific provision for corporations with partial government ownership or government contracts] (Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, 2000)

Schedule 2A, '(1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to candidates at an election.(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.(3) ?Relevant donation?, in relation to a candidate at an election, means a donation to thecandidate or his election agent for the purpose of meeting election expenses incurredby or on behalf of the candidate.(4) In sub-paragraph (3) above the reference to a donation for the purpose of meetingelection expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate includes a reference to adonation for the purpose of securing that any such expenses are not so incurred; and adonation shall be taken to be a donation for either of those purposes if, having regardto all the circumstances, it must be reasonably assumed to be such a donation.(5) ?Donation? shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4 below.(6) ?The 2000 Act? means the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.(6A) In relation to a donation received by a candidate at an election in Great Britain,references to a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) of the 2000 Act are to be read as if section 54(2) did not include a party registered in the Northern Irelandregister maintained by the Commission under Part 2 of that Act.' (Source: Representation of the People Act, 1983)
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
Code
No
Source

Art 54.2.b, [permissible donors include] '(b) a company?(i) registered under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and (ii) incorporated within the United Kingdom or another member State,which carries on business in the United Kingdom;' [no specific provision for corporations with partial government ownership or government contracts] (Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, 2000)

 
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
Code
No
Comment

Donations to candidates largely follow the same rules as to political parties.

Source

Art 54.2.b, [permissible donors include] '(b) a company?(i) registered under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and (ii) incorporated within the United Kingdom or another member State,which carries on business in the United Kingdom;' [no specific provision for corporations with partial government ownership or government contracts] (Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, 2000)

Schedule 2A, '(1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to candidates at an election.(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.(3) ?Relevant donation?, in relation to a candidate at an election, means a donation to thecandidate or his election agent for the purpose of meeting election expenses incurredby or on behalf of the candidate.(4) In sub-paragraph (3) above the reference to a donation for the purpose of meetingelection expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate includes a reference to adonation for the purpose of securing that any such expenses are not so incurred; and adonation shall be taken to be a donation for either of those purposes if, having regardto all the circumstances, it must be reasonably assumed to be such a donation.(5) ?Donation? shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4 below.(6) ?The 2000 Act? means the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.(6A) In relation to a donation received by a candidate at an election in Great Britain,references to a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) of the 2000 Act are to be read as if section 54(2) did not include a party registered in the Northern Irelandregister maintained by the Commission under Part 2 of that Act.' (Source: Representation of the People Act, 1983)
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
Code
Yes
Comment
State spending on a political party or candidate would be considered a donation in kind and as such banned. Civil servants are also required to act in a neutral manner.
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
Code
No
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
Code
No
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
Code
No
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
Code
Not applicable
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?
Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
Code
Yes, regularly
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?
Code
Proportional to votes received Proportional to seats received

Funding related to the House of Lords is determined by the House of Lords 

Comment
Funding relating to the House of Commons; proportional to seats and votes won. Funding relating to the House of Lords; determined by the House of LordsPolicy Development Grants; Complicated formula weighted by votes won in preceding election
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?
Code
Public funds are earmarked for the purpose on which they are allocated
Comment
Earmarking includes?Policy development, Support to carry out Parliamentary business, Funding travels and associated expenses, Funding the running costs of the leader of the opposition's office.
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
Yes
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
Code
  • Number of candidates
  • Other
Comment
Each broadcaster can set its own rules for allocation. The BBC's 2012 criteria mean that parties can qualify for more broadcasts if it can show substantial level of electoral support.
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
Code
No
Comment

Only to political parties
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?
Code
No
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?
Code
No
Question Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
Code
Yes
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
Code
Yes
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?
Code
£30,000 [I$ 49,000] per constituency or £810,000 [I$ 1,330,000] (England), £120,000 [I$ 198,000] (Scotland) and £60,000 [I$ 99,000] (Wales), whatever is the greater (£30,000 [I$ 49,000] per constituency in Northern Ireland).
Comment
The noted limits only relate to an ordinary general election for the Westminster Parliament. There are also provisions that relate to instances in which there is an overlapping regulated period with other elections within that schedule.
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?
Code
Yes
Comment
blank
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?
Code
Fixed amount combined with amount per registered voter, exact amount depends on type of constituency, and is higher if Parliament has sat for over 55 months.
Comment
blank
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?
Question Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties have to make annual Statements of Accounts and quarterly Donation and Loan Returns (with eligibility for exemption).
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Comment
Political parties have to make the following election specific reports: Weekly donation and loan returns (with eligibility for exemption); Campaign expenditure - party campaign expenditure returns.
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
Code
Yes
Comment
Candidates have to submit spending returns for Parliamentary elections. Loans need not currently be reported.
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
Code
Yes
Comment
All parties' reported financial information i.e. donation/loan reports, campaign expenditure returns and statement of accounts are made available on the Commission's website. This includes pdfs of invoices and receipts for campaign expenditure. I.e. their financial information is publicly available.
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
Code
Sometimes
Comment
Details to be included in the donation reports are covered in Schedules 6 and 6A. Donations and loan reports in Northern Ireland are not published (see Part IV Chapter 6 PPERA) due to ongoing security reasons.
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
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