WIREDGOV

Political parties in Great Britain and Northern Ireland have reported accepting a total of £12,608,764 in donations and public funds in the second quarter of 2021 (April to June), according to figures published yesterday by the Electoral Commission. The total is made up of donations and loans from 24 parties and compares to £9,867,578 reported in the same period in 2020.

Commenting on the information published, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, yesterday said:

“Publishing this data gives voters important information on how parties in the United Kingdom are being funded, in order to enhance public confidence and trust in our democratic processes.”

Political parties are required to submit quarterly donation and loan returns to the Electoral Commission, and include:

• donations accepted above the £7,500 threshold (£1,500 to accounting units)
• smaller donations which add together to exceed the reporting threshold
• donations which ought to have been reported in previous quarters; and
• impermissible donations they have received and action taken in relation to these.

Donation and loan reports from this quarter also include furlough payments which are included in the public funds category.

Click here for the full press release