Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether it is his Department's policy that the Policy and Strategy Statement to the Electoral Commission should instruct the Commission.

The Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission will set out guidance and principles to which the Electoral Commission must have regard in the discharge of its functions.

The duty to have regard to the Statement will not replace or undermine the Commission's other statutory duties or give the Government powers to direct the Commission's decision making. The Commission will remain operationally independent and governed by its Commissioners.

The Government has consistently set out on the record, that the Statement is a necessary and proportionate approach to reforming the accountability of the Electoral Commission to the UK Parliament whilst respecting its operational independence.

I also refer the hon. Member to the draft statement published for consultation on 22 August, which illustrates how the Statement will improve accountability of the Electoral Commission and help protect the integrity of our democracy.