This page provides background information about candidate expenditure and donation controls. The controls apply to all UK elections except local government elections in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Legislation
The Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA) governs candidates’ election expenses, but controls on candidate spending have existed since the nineteenth century. Candidates’ spending is controlled in the period before an election – the regulated period.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) introduced separate spending limits for political parties during elections and controls on donations to candidates. The result is that candidates and parties are treated in the same way during an election campaign because their election spending and donations are regulated.
The Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (PPEA) amended the candidates’ expenditure rules for certain UK Parliamentary general elections. In the 2010 general election there were two regulated periods each with its own spending limit.
Regulation of Candidates
The Commission’s role is to enforce the candidates’ compliance with the rules on donations and to monitor their compliance with the rules on expenditure.
2010 UK general election
Please follow this link to view data on candidates' expenses at the 2010 general election.
To view copies of a candidates' return, please contact the relevant (Acting) Returning Officer or local council.
Guidance
For our guidance which sets out the spending limits for up-and-coming elections, please visit our candidates and agents page.
