Funding

• What is the salary of MPs funded by the state for the year 2023-24?

  £86,500
• What expenses are funded by the state for MPs?

  Expenses include a flat in Westminster and travel costs
• What costs are not funded by the state for political parties?

  Election costs
• How do political parties fund their activities?

  Through donations, events, and membership fees
• Who can political parties accept donations from?

  People on the electoral register, UK-registered companies, registered political parties, or registered trade unions/building societies
• Are there limits on how much an individual can donate to a political party?

  No, as long as the donation is declared
• Laws surrounding funding

  The most significant law for electoral funding in the UK is the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000. This Act of Parliament:

  • Set up an independent electoral commission
  • Capped at £30,000 per constituency
  • Parties must publish details of donations
  • All donations over £5000 (nationally) or £1000 (constituency) must be declared.
  • Donations can only come from someone on the electoral register, a UK registered company, a registered political party or a registered trade union/building society.
• What is the maximum amount a party can spend per constituency according to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000?

  £30,000
• What are the key provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000?

  • Set up an independent electoral commission
  • Capped spending at £30,000 per constituency
  • Required parties to publish details of donations
  • Mandated declaration of donations over £5,000 (nationally) or £1,000 (constituency)
• What is the threshold for declaring donations nationally under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000?

  £5,000
• What is the threshold for declaring donations at the constituency level under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000?

  £1,000
• What is the role of the independent electoral commission established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000?

  To oversee and regulate electoral funding
• What types of organizations can make donations to political parties?

  UK registered companies, registered political parties, and registered trade unions/building societies
• How does the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000 ensure transparency in political donations?

  By requiring parties to publish details of donations and declare large donations
• Should parties be funded by the state