Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis the impact assessment for the Representation of the People (Amendment) Regulations 2018 estimated that the number of GPs who will make a charge for attesting to the needs for anonymous registration would be 10 per cent; and what the level of those charges will be.

The British Medical Association’s guidance recommends GPs charge between £30-£63 for this type of service, and that they consider any ethical implications of their work prior to charging for it. Given the nature of this service, for the purpose of the impact assessment we assumed a small minority (10%) of GPs to charge for an attestation, and those that do charge will do so at the lower end of the suggested range.

Should an elector experience difficulties with obtaining an attestations from a GP, other avenues remain open for them to seek attestations without charge.