Political party donations and loans in Northern Ireland

UK registered political parties

You can find the full list of political parties registered with us on our register of political parties.

Irish registered political parties

The Irish register of political parties is maintained by the Electoral Commission (Ireland).

UK trade unions

A UK trade union must be listed as a trade union by the Certification Officer or the Certification Officer for Northern Ireland to be permissible. You should check the official list of active trade unions on the Certification Officer’s website or on the Certification Officer for Northern Ireland’s website.

Irish trade unions

Irish trade unions must be registered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies of Ireland to be permissible. You should check the register of friendly societies maintained by the Registrar.

UK building societies

A UK building society must be a building society within the meaning of the Building Societies Act 1986 to be permissible. You should check the list of building societies registered by the Financial Conduct Authority on the Mutuals Public Register.

Irish building societies

An Irish building society must be registered by the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. You should check the Central Bank of Ireland’s Registers.

UK friendly societies, and industrial and provident societies

UK friendly societies, and industrial and provident societies must be registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974, the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, or the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 to be permissible. You should check the Mutuals Public Register maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Irish friendly societies, and industrial and provident societies

Irish friendly societies, and industrial and provident societies must be registered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies of Ireland to be permissible. You should check the register of friendly societies maintained by the Registrar.

What do you need to record?

You will need to record: 

• the name of the donor
• the address, as shown on the relevant register