Written questions by Hollinrake.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what information the Speaker's Committee holds on whether the Electoral Commission has held discussions with the Government on the length of time councillors will have remained in post during the process of unitary local government restructuring.

The Electoral Commission has had discussions with MHCLG officials about the proposals for local government reorganisation and the implications for elections.The Commission has said that delaying elections for more than one year can affect the legitimacy of local decision making and risks damaging public confidence. Scheduled polls should only be postponed in exceptional circumstances when no alternative options are available.The Commission understands the Government is working with councils on their reorganisation plans, and in the meantime, continues to support the electoral community as it prepares for the scheduled polls next May.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether any local government boundary restructuring exercises have been (a) cancelled and (b) paused by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England as a result of potential unitary local government restructuring; and whether the Commission has had discussions with the Government on the potential (a) cancellation and (b) postponement of scheduled local elections in May 2026.

In February 2025, following the issuing of a statutory invitation to submit unitary proposals to all two-tier authorities, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England took the decision to pause all live reviews in those areas.In total, 40 reviews have been paused as a result. No reviews have been cancelled as a result of local government reorganisation.The Commission has had no discussions with the Government on the potential for cancellation or postponement of the local elections scheduled for May 2026.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the number of spoilt votes under the supplementary vote electoral system.

The last set of elections held under the supplementary vote electoral system were the local government and PCC elections in May 2021. The percentage of rejected ballot papers at those elections was higher than at elections using first past the post in the same year: 0.8% for the local government elections compared to 2.7% for the PCC and 4.3% for Mayor of London.The Commission’s report following the elections noted that the number of rejected ballot papers for the Mayor of London election was notably higher than it had been at previous elections. The most significant difference compared to previous elections was the record 20 candidates which had led to a new two-column ballot paper design to accommodate electronic counting requirements. The report emphasised that clear and effective ballot paper design is essential to help voters cast their votes correctly. It recommended that alternative ballot paper designs should be tested in advance of future elections.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what discussions the Electoral Commission has had with the Government on the use of pilot voting schemes in the May 2026 local elections in England.

The Electoral Commission has had discussions with Government on its proposals for pilot voting schemes at the May 2026 local elections in England.The Commission’s research shows people in the UK are generally happy with the current ways of voting in person at elections. But it is important to look at how to keep improving elections, to meet the changing needs of voters and to make sure voting is as convenient and accessible as possible.The Commission will support local authorities taking part in the pilots as needed, and work to ensure voters are aware of the voting options available to them. It also has a statutory duty to independently evaluate and report on the May 2026 pilot schemes.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to local authorities on the provision to political parties of the expiry dates of postal voting mandates for individual electors with postal votes.

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are required by law to identify postal voters whose absent voting arrangements will expire on 31 January each year. These voters must be notified directly by the ERO that their current arrangement is ending and that they will need to submit a new postal vote application if they wish to continue voting by post.While political parties are entitled to receive absent voting lists, the expiry date of a postal vote does not form part of the absent voting record. As such, there is no provision for EROs to share this information.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the security of the ballot for early voting pilot schemes.

The Electoral Commission evaluated a small number of early voting pilots in Wales as part of the local council elections in May 2022. There are several potential integrity challenges presented by managing voting over multiple days. These include, ensuring ballot box security overnight and managing the risk of double voting risk.During the pilots, the Electoral Commission found that Returning Officers and their teams managed risks well, working alongside the police. No concerns were raised with the Returning Officers in relation to the integrity of the polls in the pilot areas by the police or by political parties and candidates.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 76017 on Electoral Register, whether the Electoral Commission has issued guidance to Electoral Registration Officers on whether a voter can meet the residency requirements by having a permanent residence in three different dwellings in three different local authority areas.

The Electoral Commission's guidance for Electoral Registration Officer’s (EROs) sets out that someone may be eligible to register and to vote at more than one address if the ERO finds they meet the residency requirements, alongside the other usual registration conditions. When considering an application to register a person at a secondary address the ERO should take into account why the voter is present at that address, to establish if they may be deemed resident there. Each case should be considered on its own merits.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Election Commission has issued to Electoral Registration Officers on the declarations that a potential elector must make to enter onto the electoral roll.

The Electoral Commission has issued guidance on the declarations required to Electoral Registration Officers. All electors must make a declaration that the contents of their application to register are true. This can include a declaration of local connection, if a person does not have a fixed or permanent address.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has issued on whether an elector can vote in three different localities.

The Electoral Commission's guidance for Electoral Registration Officer's (EROs) sets out that someone may be eligible to register and to vote at more than one address if the ERO finds they meet the residency requirements, alongside the other usual registration conditions.For local, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and mayoral elections, some voters may be entitled to vote in more than one area, provided the addresses are in different council, PCC or mayoral areas. This only applies to voters who have permanent residence in more than one location, for example students and those with multiple homes. In each case, voters may be able to demonsrate the extent to which the address is their permanent address. It is an offence for someone to cast more than one vote on their own behalf in a UK Parliamentary general election or referendum.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question 64449 on Electoral Commission: Finance, what is the business case for increasing the budget of the Electoral Commission by over £20 million from 2027-28 to 2028-29.

The main driver is spend related to a UK General Election. The figures referenced in Question 64449 were shared with HM Treasury and our funding parliaments as an overall estimate for the Commission’s spending over the next five years, prior to the Commission’s Corporate Plan being approved by Parliament.Each year the Commission submits a Main Estimate for Parliamentary approval, and approval by the Scottish Parliament and Senedd, with a budget request for the forthcoming year. The Commission expects its spending to increase in the run up to the next UK parliamentary general election, which must be held by August 2029; it estimates an increase of £11.6 million from 2027-28 to 2028-29 to account for this general election spending.The key driver for these costs are the public awareness campaigns that give voters the information they need to participate with confidence, alongside additional staff for the general election period and election related research projects. The Commission has a duty to promote public awareness, including awareness of any new changes introduced by Government. Typically, most of this spending falls in the year prior to a general election, because of the scale of work and the preparation required.Given the exact timing of the next general election is uncertain, the Commission has built general increases into its planned spending, which can be adjusted as appropriate through the annual Main Estimate process.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59783 on Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru: Elections, if the Electoral Commission will take steps to require the devolved administrations to ensure that political parties have (a) advance notice of and (b) clarity on the spending limits before of the election’s regulated period.

The Commission encourages the UK’s governments to ensure that changes to electoral legislation are clear at least six months before voters, campaigners, or electoral administrators are expected to comply with them. This helps to ensure all stakeholders, including political parties, have sufficient notice and clarity on any subsequent changes.The Electoral Commission provides updated guidance, support and advice for political parties and candidates to help them comply with political finance laws.The spending limits for Scottish Parliament elections have not changed ahead of the 2026 elections. Ahead of these elections, the Commission has already published its guidance for parties, and plans to publish its guidance for candidates and agents in September.The Welsh Government has introduced new spending limits for the Senedd elections, which were agreed by the Senedd in July. The Commission will publish its guidance for parties, candidates and agents in September.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59356 on Political Parties: Finance, whether political parties can accept the donation in kind of research services from an organisation where that research is ultimately funded by foreign donors.

Political parties may only accept donations, including donations in kind of research services, from permissible sources. However, there are currently no restrictions on where donors themselves raise funds. The Commission has highlighted this weakness in the political finance regime, and recommended changes that would safeguard the system.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has issued guidance on (a) companies and (b) unincorporated associations raising funds from foreign donations overseas and assigning proceeds for political (i) donations and (ii) donations in kind to (A) political parties and (B) regulated donees.

The Commission’s guidance for political parties covers permissibility of donations from companies and unincorporated associations. If an organisation makes a donation on behalf of another source without disclosing the details of the original donor, this is likely to be an agency offence. The law places a responsibility on the recipient of a donation to ensure they are satisfied as to the identity of the donor, and that the donor is permissibleA company is a permissible donor if it is registered as a company at Companies House, is incorporated in the UK, and is carrying on business in the UK. An unincorporated association is permissible if it has more than one member, the main office is in the UK, and it is carrying on business or activities in the UK.The Commission has highlighted that it remains possible for money from foreign sources to enter the UK electoral system, including through companies and unincorporated associations. There are no requirements for unincorporated associations to check that gifts they receive are from permissible sources, or on how company donations are funded. It has called for changes to ensure the system protects against foreign interference.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has issued guidance on members’ associations set up as limited companies (a) registering with the Commission to make political contributions and (b) reporting political donations.

The Commission’s guidance for regulated donees sets out the reporting requirements for members associations.Members associations are any type of organisation, including a limited company, whose membership wholly or mainly consists of members of one political party. There is no requirement for members associations which are limited companies to register with the Commission. Members associations must report to us any donations over £11,180 they receive towards their political activities within their party.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 56565 on Political Parties: Crypocurrencies, if he will publish the guidance on non-standard donations.

The Commission’s published guidance on donation permissibility, includes information on cryptocurrencies.This guidance states that the controls which apply to donations of crypto assets are the same as the controls which apply to other types of donations. Donations must be from permissible sources and recipients must establish the value in pounds of donations at the time of receipt.The Commission is currently reviewing this guidance so it can offer parties specific advice on handling donations of crypto assets, considering ongoing developments in the regulation of these assets.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what the value is of the (a) RDEL and (b) CDEL settlement for the Electoral Commission in each year of the Spending Review 2025; and what plans the Commission has to delivery efficiency savings.

The Electoral Commission’s five-year Corporate Plan was approved by Parliament in February 2025. The plan outlines the benefits that the Commission’s work and spending will deliver for voters, electoral administrators and political parties and campaigners. The plan can be found on the Commission’s website.The Commission’s budget per financial year (Westminster funding) is as follows:Financial yearRDEL CDEL2025/26£44.2m£2.2m2026/27£47.5m£2.7m2027/28£48.0m£1.4m2028/29£68.5m£1.3m2029/30£68.1m£1.2mThe Commission also has funding arrangements with the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru for work related to devolved elections.The Commission is fully committed to delivering value for money. It has recently made significant efficiency savings, including by sharing office space with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. It has also achieved a 50% reduction in energy consumption at its London office, and a reduction in the cost of providing staff laptops.The Commission will continue work with the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission to ensure Parliament and voters have confidence in the Commission’s finances.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what discussions the Electoral Commission has had with the (a) Scottish and (b) Welsh government on spending limits for the (i) Scottish Parliament and (ii) Welsh Senedd elections in 2026; and what the Commission’s planned timetable is for the ratification of the spending limits.

Each government, through the appropriate parliament, sets the spending limits for each relevant election. The Commission provides advice on the potential impact of any changes to the spending limits, and if necessary, consent. Any changes should be supported by rigorous analysis of relevant data and evidence to understand the likely impacts on parties and candidates, to maintain a level playing field, and on transparency and voter confidence. The Commission will monitor how recent changes made by governments function and their impact at the elections in 2026.It is the role of individual parliaments to ratify their respective spending limits. The Commission offers proactive advice to the regulated community to ensure parties, campaigners and candidates understand the spending rules they must follow. It will update its guidance to reflect any changes.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has given guidance to (a) political parties and (b) Reform UK Ltd on whether the provision of research is a donation in kind.

The Electoral Commission provides guidance for all political parties. The guidance states that any service – including research – provided to a party for free or on non-commercial terms is a donation. If the market value is above £500, the donor must be permissible, and if the value is above the reporting threshold (£11,180 for donations to central parties, or £2,230 for donations to accounting units or subsequent donations from the same source), it must also be reported to the Commission.If the party pays for the service, it would not be a donation.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Commission has issued on political donations being made via cryptocurrencies.

The Commission’s guidance on permissibility of donations includes information on cryptocurrencies. The guidance states that the same legal requirements apply to donations received in cryptocurrencies as any other donations. Parties must ensure that they obtain donors’ details, so they can check permissibility. As with other types of assets, parties must report the value in pounds at the time of the donation.The Commission will continue to review its guidance and support for parties to ensure that they are aware of how the law applies to cryptocurrency donations.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Commission has made of the total number of registered overseas electors at the 2024 general election; and how many applied for a postal or proxy vote.

191,338 overseas voters registered for the 2024 general election. Half (49%) of all registered overseas voters registered for a postal vote. The Commission does not collect data on how many overseas voters applied to vote by proxy.