Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will conduct a review of the combination of polls which includes an assessment of (a) which polls should be automatically combined, (b) the maximum number of polls that should be combined on the same day and (c) the potential merits of combining polls for parish and community councils and neighbouring planning and council tax referendums with UK Parliamentary general elections.

Combining polls can bring benefits in terms of enhancing voter participation and reducing cost. However, it is recognised that changing the rules surrounding the combination of polls would be a complex exercise involving amendments to primary legislation. We will continue to consider this matter with stakeholders to see where improvements can be made.