Campaign spending: Political parties and non-party campaigners

Reporting

After each UK general election, we publish information on the spending of political parties, non-party campaigners (NPCs) and candidates that campaigned at the election.

At the 2024 UK Parliamentary general election we found that:

  • total spending reached a record high of £94.5M
  • parties and candidates continue to use a large proportion of their spending on unsolicited material to electors
  • total spending by NPCs dropped to £2.6M

Read our report on campaign spending at the 2024 UK Parliamentary general election

You can view spending at past elections and referendums on Political Finance Online, so you can see what political parties, campaigners and other groups spent.

The regulated period

Before elections and referendums, there is a regulated period for the campaign that puts a limit on spending. These limits apply to candidates, political parties and non-party campaigners.

Spending limits vary for different elections.

Guidance

Every year, we publish specific guidance for elections that are taking place that year. Our guidance sets out:

  • the particular spending limits that apply
  • the period that the limits apply for
  • the reporting deadlines for those elections