£1.9m received by political parties in final days of campaign

16 Jul 2024 01:28 PM

£1.9 million in donations to political parties have been reported to the Electoral Commission in the final weekly pre-poll reports, covering donations received in the final week of campaigning and polling day itself.   

Total donations over £1.9 million received by parties during the reporting periods from 27 June to 4 July 2024

 

Prior to the UK Parliamentary general election, registered political parties must submit four weekly reports setting out the donations and loans over £11,180 that they have received between 30 May and 26 June 2024. 

In the pre-poll weekly reports, political parties and non-party campaigners must report donations that they have received during the relevant period. However, they have 30 days after receiving a donation to check that it is from a permissible source and to decide whether to accept it.

The threshold for political parties reporting donations to the Commission increased in January 2024. Following a change in law by the UK Government, parties are required to report donations over £11,180 (previously £7,500).

One non-party campaigner, Make Votes Matter, also reported receiving a donation of £13,750 during this reporting period.

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk  

Notes to editors 

  1. Details of the reporting periods and the deadline for delivery of reports are below

  2. The threshold for reporting donations increased to £11,180 in January 2024. At the last UK Parliamentary general election in 2019, the reporting threshold was £7,500. 
  3. A non-party campaigner is a group that campaigns in the run up to elections but is not a political party and does not stand candidates. Non-party campaigners must register with us if they plan to spend more than £20,000 in England or £10,000 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. A list of registered non-party campaigners is available on the Electoral Commission website. (Opens in new window)
  4. All registered political parties must submit pre-poll donation and loan reports, unless they have exempted themselves, which they can do if not standing candidates. Failure to do so will be considered in line with our Enforcement Policy. 
  5. Donations over £11,180 accepted by parties during the second quarter of 2024 (1 April to 30 June) will be published in September.
  6. Registered non-party campaigners must also submit weekly donation reports setting out the donations they have received over £7,500. This information will be published alongside the political parties’ donations and loans reports. There were no donations reported by non-party campaigners in this week. 
  7. The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
        •    enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
        •    regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
        •    using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency
    The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the Welsh, Scottish and UK parliaments.