Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Part II U.K. General limits

Parliamentary general elections U.K.

3 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies at a parliamentary general election. U.K.

(2) Where a registered party contests one or more constituencies in England, Scotland or Wales, the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in that part of Great Britain is—

(a) £30,000 multiplied by the number of constituencies contested by the party in that part of Great Britain; or

(b) if greater, the appropriate amount specified in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) The appropriate amount is—

(a) in relation to England, £810,000;

(b) in relation to Scotland, £120,000; and

(c) in relation to Wales, £60,000.

(4) Where a registered party contests one or more constituencies in Northern Ireland, the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £30,000 multiplied by the number of constituencies contested by the party there.

(5) Sub-paragraph (6) applies to a registered party in a case where at the election a candidate stands for election in any constituency in the name of that party and one or more other registered parties.

(6) In such a case, the amount applying to the party in respect of the constituency under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (4) (as the case may be) shall, instead of being the amount specified in that provision, be that amount divided by the number of registered parties in whose name the candidate stands for election as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5).

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is—

(a) (subject to paragraph (b)) the period of 365 days ending with the date of the poll for the election;

(b) where the election (“the election in question”) follows another parliamentary general election held less than 365 days previously, the period—

(i) beginning with the day after the date of the poll for the earlier election, and

(ii) ending with the date of the poll for the election in question.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 9 para. 3 modified (cond.) (30.1.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 45(3)(d), 46(3)(b)(4) (with s. 46(7))

C2 Sch. 9 para. 3(2)(a) amended (with application if the date of the poll for the next parliamentary general election after 29.1.2001 is before 16.2.2002) by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 5(3)

C3 Sch. 9 para. 3(7)(a) amended (with application if the date of the poll for the next parliamentary general election after 29.1.2001 is before 16.2.2002) by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 5(2)

C4 Sch. 9 para. 3(4) amended (with application if the date of the poll for the next parliamentary general election after 29.1.2001 is before 16.2.2002) by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 5(3)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 9 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; Sch. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); Sch. 9 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

General elections to European Parliament U.K.

4 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which stands for election or (as the case may be) in whose name candidates stand for election at a general election to the European Parliament. U.K.

(2) Where at the election a registered party stands for election in only one electoral region in England [F1 (including the combined region)], the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in England is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for that region at the election.

(3) Where at the election a registered party stands for election in two or more electoral regions in England [F1 (including the combined region)], the limit applying to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in England is £45,000 multiplied by the total number of MEPs to be returned for those regions, taken together.

(4) Where at the election—

(a) a registered party stands for election in Scotland or Wales, or

(b) one or more candidates stand for election in Northern Ireland in the name of a registered party,

the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in that part of the United Kingdom is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for that part of the United Kingdom at the election.

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is the period of four months ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 9 para. 4(2)(3) inserted (5.2.2004) by The European Parliamentary Elections (Combined Region and Campaign Expenditure) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/366), arts. 1(2), 4(2), Sch. para. 35(b)

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 9 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; Sch. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); Sch. 9 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

General elections to Scottish Parliament U.K.

5 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies or regions at an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament. U.K.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Scotland is—

(a) £12,000 for each constituency contested by the party; plus

(b) £80,000 for each region contested by the party.

[F2 (2A) Sub-paragraph (2B) applies to a registered party in a case where at the election a candidate stands for election in any constituency in the name of that party and one or more other registered parties.

(2B) In such a case, the amount applying to the party in respect of the constituency under sub-paragraph (2)(a) shall, instead of being the amount specified in that sub-paragraph, be that amount divided by the number of registered parties in whose name the candidate stands for election as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A).]

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 2(2) of the M1 Scotland Act 1998; or

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 2(5) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 2(5) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of the Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Presiding Officer proposes a day for the poll for the election under section 3(1) of the M2 Scotland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 9 para. 5(2A)(2B) inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 64(2), 77(2); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 21 (subject to art. 4, Sch. 2)

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 9 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; Sch. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); Sch. 9 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

Marginal Citations

M1 1998 c. 46.

M2 1998 c. 46.

[F3 General elections to the National Assembly for Wales] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 9 para. 6 cross-heading substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(3), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

6 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies or regions at [F4 an ordinary or extra ordinary general election to the National Assembly for Wales]. U.K.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Wales is—

(a) £10,000 for each constituency contested by the party; plus

(b) £40,000 for each region contested by the party.

[F5 (2A) Sub-paragraph (2B) applies to a registered party in a case where at the election a candidate stands for election in any constituency in the name of that party and one or more other registered parties.

(2B) In such a case, the amount applying to the party in respect of the constituency under sub-paragraph (2)(a) shall, instead of being the amount specified in that sub-paragraph, be that amount divided by the number of registered parties in whose name the candidate stands for election as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A).]

(3) [F6 In the case of an ordinary general election]“the relevant period” is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” is the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by [F7 section 3(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006];

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under [F8 section 3(1) of that Act], the date of the poll is brought forward under [F9 section 4(1) of that Act]; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under [F8 section 3(1) of that Act], the date of the poll is postponed under [F9 section 4(1) of that Act];

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under [F10 section 3(1) of that Act].

[F11 (5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Secretary of State proposes a date for the poll for the election under section 5(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6(1) substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(a), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F5 Sch. 9 para. 6(2A)(2B) inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 64(3), 77(2); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 21 (subject to art. 4, Sch. 2)

F6 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6(3) substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(b), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F7 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6(4)(a) substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(c), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F8 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6(4)(b)(c) substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(d)(i), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F9 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6(4)(b)(c) substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(d)(ii), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F10 Words in Sch. 9 para. 6 substituted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(e), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

F11 Sch. 9 para. 6(5) added by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1388), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 99(4)(f), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the ordinary election under s. 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held on 3.5.2007, see art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 9 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; Sch. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); Sch. 9 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

General elections to Northern Ireland Assembly U.K.

7 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies at an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly. U.K.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £17,000 for each constituency contested by the party.

[F12 (2A) Sub-paragraph (2B) applies to a registered party in a case where at the election a candidate stands for election in any constituency in the name of that party and one or more other registered parties.

(2B) In such a case, the amount applying to the party in respect of the constituency under sub-paragraph (2) shall, instead of being the amount specified in that sub-paragraph, be that amount divided by the number of registered parties in whose name the candidate stands for election as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2A).]

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 31(1) and (2) of the M3 Northern Ireland Act 1998;

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 31(3) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 31(3) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Secretary of State proposes a date for the poll for the election under section 32(1) or (3) of the M4 Northern Ireland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Textual Amendments

F12 Sch. 9 para. 7(2A)(2B) inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 64(4), 77(2); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 21 (subject to art. 4, Sch. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Sch. 9 para. 7 amended (20.3.2003) by Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Act 2003 (c. 3), s. 1(4)

C6 Sch. 9 para. 7 modified (15.5.2003) by Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections and Periods of Suspension) Act 2003 (c. 12), s. 1(4)(b)

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 9 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; Sch. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); Sch. 9 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

Marginal Citations

M3 1998 c. 47.

M4 1998 c. 47.