Review of the 2024 general election

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Dec 2024 Closed: 11 Feb 2026 Parliament page
Following the publication of the Electoral Commission report on the general election 2024 , the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee are considering the issue of the administration, process and conduct of the 2024 general election and how these could be improved for future elections. Read the call for evidence … Read more
20 Recommendations
49 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
16 Oct
2025
Report published
22 Jul
2025
Report published
18 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
18 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
21 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
21 Jan
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
7 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
7 Jan
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
18 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
Rushanara Ali MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Stuart Ison · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
21 Jan 2025
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David Gold · Royal Mail Laura Lock · Association of Electoral Administrators Peter Stanyon · Association of Electoral Administrators Ricky McAulay · Royal Mail
7 Jan 2025
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Jackie Killeen · Electoral Commission John Pullinger CB · Electoral Commission Vijay Rangarajan · Electoral Commission
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general election HC 487 22 Jul 2025 69 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
19 Conclusion Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Election funding structures are increasingly complex and vulnerable to local government cuts.
Funding and resourcing of elections is a significant issue. Funding structures have become increasingly complex and vulnerable to wider cuts in local government spending. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
Government Response
The government acknowledges that election funding is a significant issue and describes actions to provide local authorities with greater funding certainty and access to contingency funding through a justification-led bid process in 2025/26, aiming to simplify processes.
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25 Recommendation Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Create a single, standardised system for electoral counts, register, and administration.
At a UK general election, all candidates should be subject to the same requirements and the same system should be used throughout the electoral process. While there are historic reasons why different systems have developed and been maintained, the case … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects a single system for counts, stating it is a matter for independent Returning Officers. It commits to working towards automated registration, strengthening data provisions in law, and using non-legislative approaches to support Electoral Registration Officers in using data for registration.
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28 Recommendation Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Consider removing annual electoral canvas requirements through an updated registration system.
Establishing an electoral registration system that effectively utilises public data should mean that the register is updated all year round. As part of reform to the electoral register, the Government should consider whether the requirements for the annual canvas can … Read more
Government Response
The government is working to create an automated registration system and strengthen data provisions, which aligns with the premise that could lead to removing the annual canvas. However, it does not explicitly state it will consider removing the annual canvas requirements as part of these reforms.
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51 Recommendation Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Explore using existing government data to identify voters needing assistance at polling stations.
The Government should explore whether existing data held by the Government could be used to allow those most likely to be in need of assistance to be contacted. This information should be used to better inform returning officers of the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to explore how existing government data might be used to identify and contact voters needing assistance and to inform returning officers, acknowledging data protection considerations and stating it will consider this further.
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52 Conclusion Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Voter ID lacks evidence of necessity and creates significant barriers for legitimate voters.
We are concerned that the evidence base for the necessity and effectiveness of voter ID is simply not there. There were extremely low levels of personation prior to the introduction of voter ID, and no evidence that it was being … Read more
Government Response
The government reaffirms its commitment to voter ID, but acknowledges accessibility issues by announcing a legislative amendment to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of voter identification to increase accessibility.
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56 Recommendation Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Ensure easy access to accepted voter ID by reviewing the list and encouraging new compliant IDs.
The effect of voter ID on turnout is not simply due to people not possessing an accepted from of ID, but every effort should be made to ensure everyone has easy access to an accepted form of ID. We agree … Read more
Government Response
The government confirms it keeps the list of accepted IDs under review, citing the previous inclusion of the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card and announcing the future acceptance of UK-issued bank cards, a digital Voter Authority Certificate, and digital forms of existing photo IDs to increase accessibility. It does not address encouraging other ID suppliers or creating new ID templates.
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57 Conclusion Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Analyse ID possession for 16-17 year olds and mitigate voter ID impact for new voters.
We are particularly concerned that introducing votes for 16 and 17 year olds poses an issue for a group that may not have the necessary ID. If a Bill is introduced containing provisions to change the voting age to 16, … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes challenges for 16-17 year olds and states awareness raising will be important. It also agrees with the use of digital IDs and plans to create a digital Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) as an option, but does not commit to analysis of existing ID types or a mitigation plan for this age group.
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58 Recommendation Accepted in Part
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 ge…
Improve the Voter Authenticity Certificate system, extend emergency provision, and create digital VAC options.
The Voter Authenticity Certificate (VAC) system was clearly underused. The Government should look at ways of improving the VAC system. This should include improving awareness of the VAC and may include changing the format of the ID, for example to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the use of digital IDs for voting and intends to create a digital Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) as a further option. It acknowledges the importance of awareness raising but does not commit to other improvements to the VAC system or extending emergency VAC provision.
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Government Response AI assessment · 69 of 20 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 12
Deferred 9
Not Addressed 9
Rejected 18
Total 20 recs + 49 conclusions