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Elections: Pilot Schemes

Asked by David SimmondsConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 17 June 2026UIN 8252

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2026", on 26 May 2026, for what reason funding for flexible voting pilots was given to (a) Plymouth City Council, (b) Stevenage Borough Council and (c) Tamworth Borough Council; and whether this was the totality of funding to councils for May 2026 election pilots.

Answered by Samantha Dixon

Funding provided to Plymouth City Council, Stevenage Borough Council and Tamworth Borough Council relates to costs incurred in preparation for a flexible voting pilot activity prior to the withdrawal of their applications. The amounts provided reflect the sunk costs sustained by each authority for work undertaken up to that point, including relevant digital service development work that we anticipate supporting any future piloting schemes and potential roll-out.

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