Targeted spending

Regulated campaign spending by all registered non-party campaigners during the regulated period for a UKPGE that is aimed at promoting the electoral success of one particular registered political party or any of its candidates is called targeted spending.1

Targeted spending will count towards the overall spending limit for a non-party campaigner and is subject to the general laws on regulated campaign activity.

What is targeted spending?

Spending on campaign activity will not be considered targeted spending unless the campaign identifies the political party or its candidates.

  • Campaign activity that names a single political party or its candidates in a way that can be reasonably regarded as intended to influence voters to vote for only that political party or its candidates will count as targeted spending.
  • Campaign activity that identifies a single political party or its candidates in such a way that it can be reasonably regarded as intended to influence voters to vote for only that political party or its candidates, will be considered targeted spending. This could be by using a campaign slogan, party logo, or a policy so synonymous with only one political party.

To count as targeted spending, spending must reasonably be regarded as intending to influence voters to vote for only one political party or any of its candidates. It will not be targeted spending if it is also intended to influence voters to vote for any other party or any of its candidates.

What does not count as targeted spending?

A negative campaign aimed at influencing voters not to vote for a particular political party or any of its candidates is not targeted spending.

Donations to a registered political party do not fall within the definition of targeted spending.

Last updated: 19 December 2023