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Electoral Register

Asked by Paul HolmesConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 12 March 2026UIN 117885

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has been made of the potential impact of adopting an opt-in approach to the open electoral register on the level of revenues to local authorities accrued from the sale of open electoral register data to third parties.

Answered by Samantha Dixon

The primary purpose of the electoral register is to enable those who are eligible to vote, to register and ensure only people who are eligible to vote are permitted to do so.

HMG has not made assessment of the impact on the level of revenue to LAs accrued from the sale of the open register. However, the Impact Assessment published alongside the Representation of the People Bill, did consider the potential impact on its commercial value.

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