Party spending and pre-poll donations and loans: UK Parliamentary general election

Print full guidance

Advertising

This includes the cost of use, or hire, of any:

  • agency, individual or organisation
  • services provided by any agency, individual or organisation
  • premises or facilities

equipment

that is used to:

  • prepare, produce or facilitate the production of advertising material
  • distribute or facilitate the dissemination of that advertising material via any means, including any cost attributable to increasing the visibility of content by any means.

For example, the hire of a photographer and premises to produce images for use in advertising material.

For example, the purchase of a more prominent position on a page within a search engine.

It includes the cost of any software, of any kind, for use on any device to:

  • design and produce advertising material in-house
  • disseminate or facilitate dissemination of advertising material

whether that material is distributed digitally, electronically or via other means.

For example, a licensing fee for a software application for use on a device.

It includes the cost of preparing, producing or facilitating the production of advertising material for:

  • downloading and use by others
  • posting on and promoting the party via any kind of social media channel or platform

For example, the costs of producing advertising material promoting the party that is posted to a page on a social media channel encouraging followers to share it.

It includes the cost of accessing, purchasing, developing and maintaining any digital or other network which:

  • facilitates distribution or dissemination of advertising material by any means
  • promotes or increases the visibility of advertising material by any means

For example, the purchase of digital identities used to make material appear as if it has been seen and approved by a high number of users on a social media platform.

It includes the costs of:

  • hosting and maintaining a website or other electronic/digital material that promotes the party
  • designing and building the website
  • a portion of any website or material that is set up to obtain funds for the party but also promotes the party during the regulated period

It includes the cost of any rights or licensing fee for any image used in producing advertising material.

It includes the cost of purchase and use of any equipment in connection with:

  • preparation, production or facilitating the production of the advertising material
  • dissemination of the advertising material by distribution or otherwise

It includes the cost of:

  • paper or any other medium on which advertising material is printed
  • physically displaying advertising in any location, for example cable ties or glue for putting up posters

It includes the cost of purchase, hire or use of:

  • photocopying equipment
  • printing equipment

for use in printing advertising material.

It includes a relevant proportion of the cost of:

  • office accommodation
  • business rates
  • electricity
  • phone rental and internet access

in connection with:

  • preparation, production or facilitating the production of the advertising material
  • dissemination of the advertising material by distribution or otherwise

It includes the cost of food and/or accommodation for any individual who provides services in connection with advertising material for the party where that is paid for or reimbursed by the party. 

Downloadable material

If you put material on a website for people to print off for their personal use, such as window posters or petition forms, the design and website costs count as campaign spending. You do not need to count people’s print costs against your spending limit, as the costs will be very low.

If the material could be printed and distributed to voters – for instance a leaflet – you will need to make it clear how you expect people to use it. If you authorise wider use of the material, the production costs may count as campaign spending whoever does the printing.

Last updated: 9 November 2023