The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2014

Statutory Instruments

2014 No. 1870

Representation Of The People

The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2014

Made

14th July 2014

Coming into force

4th August 2014

The Lord President of the Council, considering it expedient in consequence of changes in the value of money, makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 76A(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1983(1):

Citation, commencement and extent

1.  This Order may be cited as the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2014 and comes into force on 4th August 2014.

2.  Article 5 does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Interpretation

3.  In this Order “the 1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Variation of expenses limits at a parliamentary general election

4.—(1) In section 76(2)(a)(i) of the 1983 Act(2) (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a parliamentary general election in a county constituency)—

(a) for “£7,150” substitute “£8,700”, and

(b) for “7p” substitute “9p”.

(2) In section 76(2)(a)(ii) of the 1983 Act (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a parliamentary general election in a borough constituency)—

(a) for “£7,150” substitute “£8,700”, and

(b) for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Variation of expenses limits at a local government election

5.  In section 76(2)(b)(ii) of the 1983 Act(3) (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a local government election other than an election under the Greater London Authority Act 1999)—

(a) for “£600” substitute “£740”, and

(b) for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Variation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections

6.—(1) In section 76ZA(2)(a) of the 1983 Act(4) (maximum permitted amount for pre-candidacy expenses at a parliamentary general election in a county constituency)—

(a) for “£25,000” substitute “£30,700”, and

(b) for “7p” substitute “9p”.

(2) In section 76ZA(2)(b) of the 1983 Act (maximum permitted amount for pre-candidacy expenses at a parliamentary general election in a borough constituency)—

(a) for “£25,000” substitute “£30,700”, and

(b) for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Revocation

7.  The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2005(5) is revoked.

Greg Clark

Minister of State

Cabinet Office

14th July 2014

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order increases the maximum amounts of candidates’ election expenses and pre-candidacy election expenses at a parliamentary general election in the United Kingdom (articles 4 and 6) and at local government elections in England and Wales, except elections under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (article 5).

The increases reflect inflation since the maximum amounts were last varied, by the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2005. That Order is revoked by this Order (article 7).

The maximum amount of candidates’ election expenses is made up of a fixed amount (expressed in pounds) plus a sum (expressed in pence) for each entry in the register of electors.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared for this Order as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

(1)

1983 (c.2); section 76A was substituted by section 133(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c.41) and amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 6 to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c.12). There are other amendments not relevant to this Order. Under article 3 of the Lord President of the Council Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1837) the powers in section 76A are exercisable concurrently by the Secretary of State and the Lord President of the Council.

(2)

Section 76(2)(a) was amended by section 6(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1989 (c.28), paragraphs 1 and 18 of Schedule 1 and Schedule 7 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c.2) and S.I. 2005/269. The reference in section 76(2) to a borough constituency has effect, in its application to Scotland, as a reference to a burgh constituency by virtue of section 204(2) of the 1983 Act.

(3)

Section 76(2)(b) was amended by paragraphs 1 and 20 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c.29), paragraphs 1 and 18 of Schedule 1 and Schedule 7 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c.2) and S.I. 2005/269. There are other amendments not relevant to this Order.

(4)

Section 76ZA was inserted by section 21(1) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c.12). There are other amendments not relevant to this Order. The reference in section 76ZA(2) to a borough constituency has effect, in its application to Scotland, as a reference to a burgh constituency by virtue of section 204(2) of the 1983 Act.

(5)

S.1. 2005/269.