Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that members of the public without formal identification are able to vote in local elections in 2018 in those local authorities which are taking part in the voter ID pilots; for what reasons the Government has not implemented recommendations from the Electoral Commission on making available a voluntary voter card for people without formal identification similar to the system used in Northern Ireland during those voter ID pilots; and if the Government will reimburse members of the public who might have to purchase a driving licence or passport in local authority areas that are taking part in those pilots.

The voter ID pilot schemes are part of a comprehensive programme of reform that will enhance public confidence in our elections, and strengthen electoral integrity.

No-one will need to purchase identification documents to be able to vote in the pilots scheduled for May 2018.

Local authorities best understand the needs of their electors. Each pilot authority will use a combination of forms of ID that will ensure that every eligible elector has the opportunity to identify themselves before voting. Those without permitted forms of ID will have the opportunity to inform their ERO to obtain relevant ID. The pilot local authorities and the Electoral Commission are working closely with the Cabinet Office to ensure that this is possible and that every eligible voice can be heard.