Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Smith and Paul Blomfield

Tuesday 7th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

1. What measures are in place to prevent a fall in the number of people registered to vote after the introduction of individual voter registration.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

4. What measures are in place to prevent a fall in the number of people registered to vote after the introduction of individual voter registration.

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Greg Clark)]

A happy new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to colleagues.

There are three ways in which the Government are ensuring that the electoral register under individual registration is complete and accurate: first, using data matching so that the majority of voters are automatically registered; secondly, phasing in the transition over two years so that people who are not individually registered can nevertheless vote in the 2015 general election; and, thirdly, providing additional resources above what is usually spent at a national and local level to fund activities to boost the completeness and accuracy of the register.