Campaign spending of £250,000 or less at the 2021 Senedd election

Spending returns

The Electoral Commission has today published the campaign spending returns of political parties and registered non-party campaigners that spent £250,000 or less campaigning at the 2021 Senedd election. 

Thirteen political parties which contested the Senedd election reported spending £250,000 or less on campaigning during the regulated period which ran from 6 January 2021 to polling day on 6 May 2021. Altogether, these parties reported spending £453,852.01 on campaigning at the poll. 

One non-party campaigner reported spending £250,000 or less on campaigning during the regulated period. 

Commenting on the returns from political parties and campaigners, Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation, said:
“The publication of campaign spending information relating to this year’s Senedd election is an important part of delivering transparency, which is essential to our democratic process. It is vital that voters are able to see clearly and accurately how money is spent on influencing them at elections.” 

The highest-spending parties that reported spending of £250,000 or less at the Senedd Election 2021

Party Expenditure
Liberal Democrats £184,434.00
Reform UK £79,631.76
Green Party £58,554.00
UK Independence Party (UKIP) £54,276.41
Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party £24,495.27
Propel £20,382.51
Communist Party of Britain £9,073.00
Freedom Alliance - Integrity, Society, Economy £8,426.00
Gwlad £5,298.41
Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship" £3,832.00
Workers Party of Britain £2,560.55
No More Lockdowns £1,533.24
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition £1,354.68

Full details of reported party spending are available on our website.

Two political parties contesting the election did not submit a spending return by the deadline of the 6 August and this will be considered in line with our Enforcement Policy. 

Political parties and non-party campaigners that spent over £250,000 campaigning at the Senedd election have until 6 November 2021 to submit their audited campaign spending returns.

The non-party campaigner that reported spending £250,000 or less at the 2021 Senedd Election

Non-party campaigner Expenditure
YesCymru £29,782.61


Non-party campaigners were also required to report their donations along with their spending. YesCymru did not report any donations received within the regulated period.


Ends

For more information contact Ella Downing, Communications Officer on 029 2034 6824, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected]

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

  • enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
  • regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
  • using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, 
  • aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK, Welsh and Scottish Parliaments.

Our statutory post-poll report on the 2021 Senedd election was published in September and includes details of our campaign related recommendations. 

2. Non-party campaigners must register with the Commission if they intend to spend more than £10,000 campaigning at a Senedd election during the regulated period. 

Every political party that contested the Senedd election is required to submit campaign expenditure returns to the Electoral Commission, as well as non-party campaigners who spent over the registration thresholds. The deadlines for delivering spending returns depend on how much a party or campaigner spent. 

Political parties and non-party campaigners that spent under £250,000 at the Senedd election were required to submit their returns by 6 August 2021. 

Political parties and non-party campaigners that spent over £250,000 have until 6 November 2021 to submit their audited returns.

The Commission has published the returns as they were submitted by the party or campaigner. Where appropriate, it will consider any inaccuracies or incomplete information in line with its Enforcement Policy.

All figures are rounded to the nearest £.