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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken in response to the recommendation of the Independent Review into Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK Politics, published on 26 March, that non-party campaigner and candidate campaign spending should come from permissible donors and that reporting and transparency requirements should apply to these groups year-round; and what further steps, including legislation, they intend to take.

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

The Government has also committed to enacting Mr Rycroft's recommendations to amend non-party campaigning rules. However, changes in this area require careful consideration and consultation to ensure that any new requirements do not place unnecessary burdens on legitimate campaigning activity. Mr Rycroft recognised the complexity of this area in his review. The Government is considering how best to deliver the objectives in a way that is effective, proportionate and enforceable, including consideration of the period that any requirements should cover.