10
Accepted
The Representation of the People Bill does not include strong enough safeguards to prevent UK...
Conclusion
The Representation of the People Bill does not include strong enough safeguards to prevent UK subsidiaries donating on behalf of foreign parent companies or wealthy individuals. There are further loopholes enabling donors to receive large sums of foreign money in connection with a donation and not declare it. And it has missed opportunities to amend the terminology on donor and recipient due diligence responsibilities, which currently hamper law enforcement from launching adequate investigations and bringing prosecutions. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the concern regarding corporate donation limits and has accepted a similar Rycroft review recommendation in full, also introducing a declaration requirement for donors above a set threshold to prevent evasion.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with the Joint Committee on their concern around the risk of specifying the limits on corporate donations applying to the total amount per company rather than per recipient. The Rycroft review made a similar recommendation which we have accepted in full. The Government is also introducing a requirement for all donors making donations over a set threshold to submit a declaration with their donation. This will ensure that both recipients of donations and the Electoral Commission have the information necessary to ensure companies are not evading rules to donate their profit multiple times.
Source
Inquiry
Defending Democracy
Report
3rd Report - Political finance and foreign influence
18 Mar 2026
HC 720
Addressee Bodies
Cabinet Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
18 Mar 2026