Citation, commencement and extent

1.  This Order may be cited as the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2014 and comes into force on 4th August 2014.

2.  Article 5 does not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Interpretation

3.  In this Order “the 1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Variation of expenses limits at a parliamentary general election

4.—(1) In section 76(2)(a)(i) of the 1983 Act(2) (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a parliamentary general election in a county constituency)—

(a)for “£7,150” substitute “£8,700”, and

(b)for “7p” substitute “9p”.

(2) In section 76(2)(a)(ii) of the 1983 Act (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a parliamentary general election in a borough constituency)—

(a)for “£7,150” substitute “£8,700”, and

(b)for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Variation of expenses limits at a local government election

5.  In section 76(2)(b)(ii) of the 1983 Act(3) (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a local government election other than an election under the Greater London Authority Act 1999)—

(a)for “£600” substitute “£740”, and

(b)for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Variation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections

6.—(1) In section 76ZA(2)(a) of the 1983 Act(4) (maximum permitted amount for pre-candidacy expenses at a parliamentary general election in a county constituency)—

(a)for “£25,000” substitute “£30,700”, and

(b)for “7p” substitute “9p”.

(2) In section 76ZA(2)(b) of the 1983 Act (maximum permitted amount for pre-candidacy expenses at a parliamentary general election in a borough constituency)—

(a)for “£25,000” substitute “£30,700”, and

(b)for “5p” substitute “6p”.

Revocation

7.  The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2005(5) is revoked.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order increases the maximum amounts of candidates’ election expenses and pre-candidacy election expenses at a parliamentary general election in the United Kingdom (articles 4 and 6) and at local government elections in England and Wales, except elections under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (article 5).

The increases reflect inflation since the maximum amounts were last varied, by the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2005. That Order is revoked by this Order (article 7).

The maximum amount of candidates’ election expenses is made up of a fixed amount (expressed in pounds) plus a sum (expressed in pence) for each entry in the register of electors.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared for this Order as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.