Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 597
13 December 2021
Government response
Fourth Special Report - The Elections Bill: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 10 Feb 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
2
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 22
As the Government itself acknowledges, the time available for legislative change is limited and the...
Conclusion
As the Government itself acknowledges, the time available for legislative change is limited and the matter of consolidating electoral law a long and widely recommended, but challenging undertaking.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees in principle that electoral law would benefit from consolidation and acknowledges it will be a long-term project, but states its immediate priority is delivering manifesto pledges and strengthening electoral integrity.
4
Recommendation
Deferred
The Committee urges the Government to set out a timetable for undertaking a wholesale review...
Recommendation
The Committee urges the Government to set out a timetable for undertaking a wholesale review and consolidation of electoral law. (Paragraph 24) Public and parliamentary consultation and scrutiny
Government Response Summary
The government agrees in principle that electoral law would benefit from consolidation as a long-term project but defers setting a timetable, stating its immediate priority is to deliver manifesto pledges and strengthen electoral integrity.
36
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 177
The Committee would support any measures that increase transparency in the way the Electoral Commission’s...
Conclusion
The Committee would support any measures that increase transparency in the way the Electoral Commission’s compliance with the Statement is assessed by the Speaker’s Committee.
Government Response Summary
The Government noted that the recommendation is addressed to the Speaker's Committee, which has the autonomy to set its own procedures.
37
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 178
The Speaker’s Committee may wish to develop the use of SMART objectives in monitoring and...
Conclusion
The Speaker’s Committee may wish to develop the use of SMART objectives in monitoring and assessing the Electoral Commission’s compliance with the Statement. Furthermore, reports should clarify the consequences of any disagreement(s) between the Electoral Commission and the Speaker’s Committee.
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Government Response Summary
The Government noted that the recommendation is addressed to the Speaker's Committee, which has the autonomy to set its own procedures.
38
Recommendation
Deferred
Noting the importance in maintaining the perceived and actual independence of the Electoral Commission, the...
Recommendation
Noting the importance in maintaining the perceived and actual independence of the Electoral Commission, the body which scrutinises the Electoral Commission’s compliance with the Statement and will play a key role in the consultation process (including providing any objections to …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes that this recommendation is addressed to the Speaker’s Committee, which is responsible for setting its own procedures.
43
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 199
The Government has not clarified whether more resources and training will be provided to the...
Conclusion
The Government has not clarified whether more resources and training will be provided to the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland (PPS) to investigate alleged criminal offences under PPERA.
Government Response Summary
The government states it keeps the roles and powers of the police and prosecution authorities under review for effectiveness, and that further work must be done, but does not clarify whether more resources or training will be provided.
44
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 200
The Government should set out how it will “support the police as necessary to enforce...
Recommendation
The Government should set out how it will “support the police as necessary to enforce electoral regulation proactively and effectively”, as committed by the Government in its letter to the Committee of 7 October 2021, including what resources it will …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it keeps the Electoral Commission's role and police/prosecution powers under review and that further work is needed, but does not set out how it will support the police or what resources will be made available as requested.
45
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 201
We urge the Government to commit to review, monitor and report on potential criminal breaches...
Recommendation
We urge the Government to commit to review, monitor and report on potential criminal breaches under PPERA and their enforcement, which would assist in bringing forward any further legislative changes to either the civil and/or criminal sanctioning regimes. The Government …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it keeps the Electoral Commission's role and police/prosecution powers under review and that further work is needed, but does not commit to annually reviewing, monitoring, reporting on criminal breaches, publishing findings, or laying a statement in Parliament.
46
Recommendation
Deferred
The Government should also commit to undertaking a review of the civil sanctioning regime for...
Recommendation
The Government should also commit to undertaking a review of the civil sanctioning regime for electoral law offences and its interplay with criminal prosecutions under PPERA and the RPA, providing a timetable for consultation and review of the CSPL’s recommendations …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it keeps the Electoral Commission's role and powers under review and that further work is needed on electoral law changes, but it does not commit to undertaking a specific review of the civil sanctioning regime or provide a timetable for consultation.
48
Recommendation
Deferred
The Government’s response to the CSPL report on electoral finance regulation provides no indication of...
Recommendation
The Government’s response to the CSPL report on electoral finance regulation provides no indication of which of its recommendations (not already included in the Bill) the Government is likely to adopt (via amendment), prioritise for consultation or when or how …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Elections Bill already implements some CSPL recommendations and that 'further work must be done' to consider others, but it does not provide the requested clarity on its next steps, specific adoption plans, or a timetable for future legislative action.