Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill — Schedule 3 — Inclusion of Staff Costs in Controlled Expenditure — 22 Jan 2014 at 16:30

The majority of MPs voted to include staff costs when calculating the amount spent on campaigning in general elections by those who are not candidates, or who are not putting up candidates in general elections. The amount such organisations are permitted to spend is restricted by law.

Those MPs voting with the majority were increasing the restrictions on third party organisations (such as charities) who campaign during elections.

MPs were considering the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill.^[1]

The motion which was the subject of this vote stated:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 108

The explanatory notes to the Lords amendments state^[2]:

• Lords Amendment 108 would exclude from the calculation of controlled expenditure staff costs in relation to transport, press conferences or organised media events and public rallies or other public events for staff who are directly employed by the third party.

The text of the amendment^[4] was:

• Page 57, line 14, at end insert—
• “Exclusions of background staff costs
• 1A Nothing in sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) of paragraph 1 shall be taken as extending to any expenses incurred in respect of remuneration or allowances payable to any member of staff (whether permanent or otherwise) of the third party.”

This amendment would have been inserted into Schedule 3 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill which itself inserts a new Schedule into The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

The provision the amendment acts on relates to guidance as to what kind of expenses count as controlled expenses for the purposes of expenditure by third parties during general elections. The guidance in question is to be produced by the Electoral Commission and submitted to the Secretary of State for their approval.

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill 2013-14
• [2] Explanatory notes on the Lords Amendments to the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, as brought from the House of Lords on 21 January 2014.
• [3] Lords Amendments to the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill - 22 January 2014
• [4] Page of Lords Amendments to the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill containing Amendment 108
• [5] Version of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill which the amendments refer to - 10th October 2013
• [6] Schedule 3 of the version of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill which the amendments refer to - 10th October 2013

Debate in Parliament | Source |