Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his plans to require enhanced due diligence for political donations, whether there will be a safe harbour provision, for following advice from the regulator.

The Know Your Donor regime will introduce statutory guidance issued by the Electoral Commission, which will set out how recipients of donations may assess the relevant risk factors, the kinds of circumstances that may signal a heightened level of risk and the steps they may take to reduce that risk.

Following the Commission’s guidance will help recipients ensure they are conducting an appropriate level of risk assessment. Adhering to the guidance will therefore support parties and campaigners in demonstrating that they have taken reasonable steps when evaluating the permissibility and potential risk of donations.