Election 2005: campaign spending - Electoral Commission

18Table 3: Breakdown of categories of campaign spending by parties with candidates elected to the UK ParliamConserva- D.U.P. IKHHC Labourtives*A. Party political broadcasts 2% 30% 0% 3%B. Advertising 46% 8% 100% 29%C. Unsolicited material to electors 25% 0% 0% 15%D. Manifesto/party policy document 1% 43% 0% 2%E. Market research/canvassing 7% 0% 0% 9%F. Media 3% 0% 0% 2%G. Transport 5% 12% 0% 12%H. Rallies and other events 6% 0% 0% 16%I. Overheads & general administration 5% 7% 0% 12%Total 100% 100% 100% 100%Note: * Represents spending reported in Great Britain only.Key:D.U.P.: Democratic Unionist Party – D.U.P. IKHHC: Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health ConcernLib Dems: Liberal DemocratsSNP: Scottish National PartySDLP: SDLP (Social Democratic & Labour Party) UUP: Ulster Unionist PartyTable 4: Spending across the UK in UKParliamentary general elections in 2001and 2005Area 2001 (£) 2005 (£)England 22,348,075 35,777,916Scotland 2,523,086 3,666,170Wales 1,387,099 2,285,317Northern Ireland 431,641 596,326UK 26,689,901 42,325,730We are consulting political parties and reviewingthe relevant case law in order to provide suitableguidance to assist those responsible forchecking the permissibility of corporate donors.2.26 The second issue concerned the status ofloans as potential donations. Loans provided ata rate of interest below the commercial rate willaccrue a notional donation 7 to the party fromthe lender. If the difference between the interestcharged and the commercial interest that wouldaccrue exceeds £200, the lender must be apermissible donor. If the notional donationelement exceeds the reporting threshold, 8 it7 Notional donations are when any goods, services,property or facilities are provided to a party free ofcharge or at a discount of more than 10% of thecommercial rate, for election purposes.8 The reporting threshold for the national headquartersof a party is £5,000 while for the accounting unit of aparty it is £1,000.Elections 2005: campaign spending: campaign spending by political parties