General election spending hits record high
General election spending hits record high
Total spending at the 2024 UK parliamentary general election reached a record high of £94.5m, according to analysis published today by the Electoral Commission.
Larger political parties and campaigners – those spending £250,000 or more – spent a total of £69.3m in the year leading up to the general election.
The figures come from two Commission reports, published today, completing the picture of spending at the 2024 UK parliamentary general election. Spending information from larger parties and campaigners has been published, adding to data made available earlier in the year from smaller parties and campaigners. Analysis of this data has also been published, showing a clear increase in real-terms party spending since 2017.
- UK parliamentary general election 2024: spend by parties and campaigners
- UK parliamentary general election 2024: campaign spending analysis
Money spent on campaigning must be reported to the Commission after the election. The Commission publishes this data so that voters can see how much was spent influencing them.
Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation, said:
“Spending at the general election reached a new high as campaigners sought to share their messages with voters and inform their choice at the ballot box. A record number of candidates and parties took part, helping to support a robust and vibrant debate.
“High levels of participation and campaigning give voters information about the candidates standing, and today’s publication shows voters how that activity was funded. Making this information available to voters is an important component of the UK’s political finance system, which helps build voter trust and confidence.
“Voters can also be confident that, overall, campaigners are complying with political finance laws and meeting their obligations. We saw high levels of compliance with the political finance laws at the 2024 general election.”
In addition to total spending levels, data reported to the Commission shows the different activities campaigners are undertaking. Unsolicited materials – such as leaflets and direct mail to voters – was once again the largest spending category.
The Commission has recommended that the UK Government updates spending categories to provide more useful detailed information for voters about what money was spent on. Categories could be updated to reflect modern campaign activities, such as digital campaigning.
Political parties
Seven parties reported spending £250,000 or more at the 2024 UK general election:
| Party | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Labour Party | £30,084,081 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | £23,874,892 |
| Liberal Democrats | £5,623,336 |
| Reform UK | £5,459,027 |
| Green Party | £1,727,639 |
| Scottish National Party (SNP) | £799,175 |
| Co-operative Party | £298,304 |
Non-party campaigners
Three non-party campaigner reported spending £250,000 or more at the 2024 UK general election:
| Non-party campaigner | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| National Education Union | £617,730 |
| Best for Britain Limited | £423,997 |
| UNISON: The Public Service Union | £394,392 |
Non-party campaigners must also report any donations received for the purpose of meeting spending on regulated campaign activity, which have also been published today.
Ends
For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected].
Notes to editors
- 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:
o 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
o regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, support compliance and pursue breaches
o 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.
- The Commission published the spending returns of parties and non-party campaigners that spent £250,000 or less at the general election in February 2025, and the headline figures for candidate spending and donations in March 2025.
- The Commission has a legal duty to publish spending returns as soon as practicably possible, ensuring voters have timely access to information about election spending.
- Every political party that contested the general election is required to submit a campaign expenditure return to the Commission, even if it was a nil return, as well as non-party campaigners who spent over the reporting thresholds.
- Non-party campaigners across the UK must register with the Commission if they intend to spend more than £10,000. They must submit a spending return if they spend more than £20,000 in England or £10,000 in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland on regulated campaign activity during the regulated period.
- The deadlines for delivering spending returns depend on how much a party or campaigner spent. Those that spent over £250,000 had until 4 January 2025 to submit their audited returns.
- This was the first UK general election following a change to donation reporting thresholds, which meant parties were required to report donations over £11,180 (previously £7,500). Spending limits for political parties were also uprated in line with inflation.
- The Commission has worked to address any inaccuracies in the returns before publication. It encourages parties and campaigners to invest in their compliance processes and to seek our advice before submitting returns.
- If additional inaccuracies are identified after publication, the Commission will publish revised returns to ensure published spending information is as accurate as possible. Where appropriate, it will consider any inaccuracies or incomplete information in line with its enforcement policy.