Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Section 94 and Schedule 10 : Limits on controlled expenditure by third parties

190.Section 94(1) gives effect to Schedule 10 sets out financial limits on controlled expenditure by recognised third parties, and the periods to which those limits apply, in respect of elections to the House of Commons, the European Parliament and the devolved legislatures. Section 94 also ensures that non-recognised third parties which incur significant levels of controlled expenditure are brought within the regulatory remit of the Electoral Commission.

191.The scheme set out in Schedule 10 is similar to that in respect of national campaign expenditure by political parties as set out in Schedule 9. The periods to which the financial limits set out in Part II of Schedule 10 apply are the same as those which apply to expenditure by registered parties under Schedule 9. Part III of Schedule 10 makes equivalent provision for any overlapping of the relevant regulated periods and, where appropriate, the aggregation of the financial limits which apply. Part I of Schedule 10 also makes equivalent provision for third party expenditure to be apportioned between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

192.The financial limits on controlled expenditure on the part of recognised third parties represent 5% of the limit which would apply to a registered party if it contested all the seats in the election in question. The limits are set out in the table below: