Senedd election 2026: Party spending

Campaign spending is what the party spends on certain activities to promote itself or its candidates, or criticise other parties, during the regulated period.1

Party campaign spending will also include spending on activities to promote your candidates. Spending incurred by party list candidates must be authorised by the party.2  

Campaign spending includes any items or services used during the regulated period, including:

• items or services bought before the regulated period begins, but used during it3
• items or services given to the party free of charge or at a non-commercial discount of more than 10% and then used in your campaign (see Notional spending)4

All party spending must be reported to the Electoral Commission after the election.5

Activities included in campaign spending are:6  

• party political broadcasts, if your party is entitled to one
• party advertising of any kind. For example, street banners, websites or YouTube videos
• unsolicited material sent to voters about the party. For example, production costs of the election addresses and letters or leaflets you send that are not in response to specific queries
• the manifesto and other documents setting out your party’s policies
• market research or other methods of finding out which party people intend to vote for (where the research involves identified candidates however, it may be candidate spending)
• party press conferences or other dealings with the media
• transport in connection with promoting or publicising your party
• party rallies and events, including the cost of people’s attendance, and any goods, services or facilities provided

Which costs are included?

You must include any relevant costs associated with each activity. For example, if you are producing leaflets or advertising, you must include the design and distribution costs. You must also include overheads or administrative costs which are associated with each activity. 

Guidance on the relevant costs associated with each activity is included in the following sections. It is not an exhaustive list. If you have queries about specific overhead costs, please contact us for advice.