The Representation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024

Security exclusion in respect of qualifying expenses for candidates, political parties and third parties

4.—(1) In Schedule 4A to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (election expenses), after paragraph 13, insert—

“13A.   Except in relation to a local government election in Wales, the protection of persons or property, to the extent that the expenses are reasonably incurred and are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property.”.

(2) The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 is amended as follows—

(a) in Schedule 8 (campaign expenditure: qualifying expenses), in paragraph 2(1)(1)—

(i) in paragraph (d) as it extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland, omit “or” at the end;

(ii) in paragraph (e) as it extends to England and Wales, omit “or” at the end;

(iii) after paragraph (e), insert—

“(ea) in relation to an election for the purposes of which a limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 9 (limits for periods relating to parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), reasonable expenses incurred that are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property; ”;

(b) in Schedule 8A (controlled expenditure: qualifying expenses), in paragraph 2(1), after paragraph (e) insert—

“(f) in relation to an election for the purposes of which a limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (limits for periods relating to parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), reasonable expenses incurred that are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property.”.

(3) In Schedule 7 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (candidate election expenses), after paragraph 14 insert—

“14A.   The protection of persons and property, to the extent that expenses are reasonably incurred and are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property.”.

(1)

Paragraph 2 was amended by S.I. 2004/366, 2018/1310, 2020/1320 (W. 291) and S.S.I. 2020/426.