Anyone can give a donation or loan to a political party, individual or other organisation. There is no limit on how much someone can give if they are a permissible source.

It is up to the political party, individual or other organisation to check if the donation or loan is from a permissible sources, and if they can accept it or not.

Permissible sources in Great Britain

In Great Britain, permissible sources are:

  • individuals registered on a UK electoral register, including overseas electors and those leaving bequests
  • most UK-registered companies
  • Great Britain registered political parties
  • UK-registered trade unions
  • UK-registered building societies
  • UK-registered limited liability partnerships (LLP) that carry on business in the UK
  • UK-registered friendly societies
  • UK-based unincorporated associations that carry on business or other activities in the UK
  • some types of trust and certain public funds

Where someone pays for the reasonable costs of an overseas visit, they are deemed to be a permissible donor.

Permissible sources in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, permissible sources are:

  • individuals registered on a UK electoral register, including overseas electors and those leaving bequests
  • most UK-registered companies
  • UK-registered political parties
  • UK-registered trade unions
  • UK-registered building societies
  • UK-registered limited liability partnerships (LLP) that carry on business in the UK
  • UK-registered friendly societies
  • UK-based unincorporated associations that carry on business or other activities in the UK
  • Irish citizens (including bequests)
  • most Irish-registered companies
  • Irish-registered political parties
  • Irish-registered trade unions
  • Irish-registered building societies
  • Irish-registered limited liability partnerships (LLP) that carry on business in the island of Ireland
  • Irish-registered friendly societies
  • Irish-based unincorporated associations that carry on business or other activities in Ireland
  • some types of trust, and certain public funds

Where someone pays for the reasonable costs of an overseas visit, they are deemed to be a permissible donor.