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Political Parties: Finance

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 30 January 2026UIN 107470

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the current rules around party donations by single donors, with particular reference to donations from foreign entities.

Answered by Samantha Dixon

As set out in our Manifesto and subsequently in our Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections published last July, we are bringing forward a number of reforms to strengthen our political finance rules on donations to close loopholes and tackle foreign interference in our elections. These reforms include: tighter controls on donations from companies to ensure they have a legitimate connection to the UK; greater due diligence checks on significant donations under a new ‘Know-Your-Donor' scheme; stronger checks and transparency thresholds for unincorporated associations; and requirements for donors to declare connected sources of their funding.

On the 16 December 2025 the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The purpose of the review is to provide an in-depth assessment of the current financial rules and safeguards that regulate political parties and political finance and make recommendations. The terms of reference for the review can be found here. Review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.

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