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Elections: Local Government

Asked by Blake StephensonConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 14 July 2026UIN 16692

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the forthcoming Clacton by-election.

Answered by Samantha Dixon

The estimated cost of the Clacton by-election is set out in The Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers’ Charges) Order 2024.

The average (mean) cost of a UK parliamentary by-election between 2021 and 2025 was approximately £343,768, including candidate mailing costs. This figure is estimated from final settled expenditure where available and claimed expenditure for by-elections where the claims process has not yet been completed.

Expenditure accounts for the 2026 parliamentary by-elections have not yet been received from the relevant Returning Officers.

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