About referendums
Referendums are held to ask people to vote on a proposal put forward by government. For a summary of information on referendums, see our referendums factsheet (PDF). Or to find out about our work on referendums, see our role and responsibilities.
Questions for neighbourhood planning referendums in England
We have assessed the Government's proposed questions to be asked at neighbourhood planning referendums in England. We have recommended some changes to the wording of the questions to make them shorter and simpler to aid voter understanding. We also recommend that the Government ensures that supplementary information is made available to voters at a referendum about the planning process, and the neighbourhood planning proposals that they are being asked to vote on.
- Read our report of our views on the questions (pdf)
- Read the report of our research with voters (pdf)
Council tax referendum question
The Government consulted us on the proposed question to be asked at local referendums in England on council tax increases. We have assessed the question and have recommended some changes to the question wording to make it easier for voters to understand and answer. We have also set out what information needs to be made available to the public in advance of polling day, so that people can make an informed choice when they are voting.
- Read our report of our views on the question (pdf)
- Read the report of our research with voters (pdf)
The Government has also asked us for our views on a further revised referendum question, following our assessment of its original question. We wrote to the Government setting out our concerns with the revised question in December 2011.
We issued a briefing on the draft regulations for council tax referendums in January 2012 before they were debated by Parliament:
The UK Government consulted us in July 2012 on a further revised referendum question, following debate in Parliament on the question included in the 2012 regulations. We wrote to the Government to confirm we were satisfied that the revised wording was likely to be intelligible for voters, and that the Government had taken account of almost all of our original recommendations:
- Read the letter from the UK Government consulting the us on a revised question (pdf)
- Read our letter to the UK Government on 31 July 2012, containing our comments on the revised question (pdf)
Questions for referendums on how local councils in England are run
We have responded to the Government's consultation on proposed questions for referendums on how local authorities in England are run.
- Read our report of our views on the questions (pdf)
- Read the report of our research with voters (pdf)
Referendum on independence for Scotland
You can find updates on our views on proposals for the independence referendum, and links to all the statements we have issued so far on our independence referendum page.
Visit the referendum on independence for Scotland page
UK-wide referendum on the voting system for electing MPs
A UK-wide referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the UK Parliament took place on Thursday 5 May 2011. The result was declared on 7 May 2011, delivering a 'no' to changing the voting system.
Our report on the costs of the referendum
Our report on the costs of the May 2011 referendum sets out, for the first time, the total cost of running a UK-wide poll. The cost of the 2011 referendum was just over £75million.
Referendum campaigners
We give advice and guidance to people and organisations who want to campaign in referendums. This is available on our guidance for campaigners page.
Past referendums
Since 1973, eleven national, regional and/or UK-wide referendums have been held in the UK.
UK - 5 May 2011
Wales - 3 March 2011
North East (PDF) (England) - 2004
Northern Ireland - 1998
London (England) - 1998
Wales - 1997
Scotland - 1997
Wales - 1979
Scotland - 1979
UK - 1975
Northern Ireland - 1973
Read in Welsh / Darllenwych y Gymraeg >
