Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to help increase (a) registration and (b) participation in elections by overseas British electors.
Answered by Rushanara Ali
The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment.
As set out in our response to the Electoral Commission’s evaluation of the 2024 general election, published last month (Electoral Commission’s reports on the 2024 elections: government response - GOV.UK), the Government recognises the Commission’s findings with regards to the difficulties faced by British citizens living overseas when trying to participate in UK elections.
As part of our review of electoral registration and conduct, the Government, in partnership with electoral practitioners and the Electoral Commission, is examining several aspects of the system for overseas electors, with a view to identifying practical solutions to some of the challenges faced.
Asked by: Lord Grocott (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many British citizens living overseas for more than 15 years became eligible to vote in the 2024 General Election following a change to the rules under the Elections Act 2022.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This data is not held centrally. However, the supporting Impact Assessment to the Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 estimated that around 2.3 million British citizens living overseas were enfranchised by the changes to the franchise under the Elections Act 2022. The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk).
Asked by: Melanie Ward (Labour - Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of utilising (a) High Commissions and (b) Consulates to facilitate British Overseas Voters ability to vote.
Answered by Rushanara Ali
No such assessment has been made at this time. We are focused at present on delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen our democracy and encourage participation – including by giving 16- and 17- year olds the right to vote in all elections.
Asked by: Kirith Entwistle (Labour - Bolton North East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Elections Act 2022 on overseas voting.
Answered by Rushanara Ali
The Electoral Commission and the Office for National Statistics review and publish statistics on electoral registration and participation in elections. The Government will examine and reflect on this data when it is available following the 2024 general election.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2023 to Question 191889 on Voting Rights: British Nationals Abroad, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward secondary legislation under the Elections Act 2022 to implement his policies on overseas voting before the General Election.
Answered by Jacob Young
Details of legislation will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent progress his Department has made on bringing forward secondary legislation under the Elections Act 2022 to implement his policies on overseas voting.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
The secondary legislation to deliver the overseas electors change is expected to be made and come into force in January 2024.
Asked by: Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward secondary legislation under the Elections Act 2022 to implement his policies on overseas voting.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
The secondary legislation to deliver the overseas electors change is expected to be made and come into force in January 2024.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Committee has had recent discussions with the Electoral Commission on when secondary legislation on overseas voting would need to be introduced to Parliament to ensure that all overseas voters can properly register and vote.
Answered by Cat Smith
The Speaker's Committee has not had discussions with the Electoral Commission on the matter referred to.
The Commission has consistently highlighted to the UK Government that any changes to legislation should be in place six months before being implemented or complied with, so that Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers and voters have enough time to prepare.
The Commission is working to develop guidance for electoral administrators to help them understand and deliver the forthcoming changes to the overseas voter franchise. It will also expand its public awareness work targeting the overseas voter audience in the lead-up to UK parliamentary elections.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation to implement the provisions of the Elections Act 2022 on Extension of franchise for parliamentary elections: British citizens overseas.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
Announcements will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what progress has been made in developing secondary legislation on overseas voting.
Answered by Lee Rowley
The Elections Act gained Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The necessary secondary legislation is currently being developed and will be brought forward in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Individuals applying to register as overseas electors are currently subject to identity checks.