Candidate spending limits
There are strict limits on what candidates can spend during an election campaign, as well as controls on the sources of funding for that spending.
After the election, candidates and their agents must submit a spending return, detailing all campaign costs and donations.
Spending limits
For local government elections in England, the spending limit for a candidate is:
£960.00 + 8p per registered local government elector in the ward
(as at the last day for publication of the Notice of Election).
Example:
If a ward has 7,500 registered electors:
£960.00 + (7,500 × £0.08) = £1,560.00
Calculating spending limits is the responsibility of the candidate and/or election agent.
Electoral numbers by ward will appear here after the publication of notice of election
Spending limits for joint candidates
You are considered a joint candidate if you stand in the same ward and:
- Share the same election agent, or
- Use the same campaign rooms, or
- Publish joint campaign material.
Joint candidates have reduced spending limits because they share costs.
The reduction is:
|
Number of Joint Candidates |
Reduction |
|
Two |
25% - quarter |
|
Three or more |
33% - a third |
Example:
Two candidates in a ward with 7,500 electors publish joint material.
Single candidate limit = £960.00 + (7,500 × £0.08) = £1,560.00
25% reduction = £1,560.00 × 0.25 = £390.00
Adjusted limit = £1,560.00 − £390.00 = £1170.00 per candidate
Further information
For full guidance on candidate spending, please visit the Electoral Commission website
You can also contact The Electoral Commission by
Email: pef@electoralcommission.org.uk
Phone: 0333 103 1928
