Commentary on Sections Part 2: Political Donations Etc and Expenditure Section 20: Increased thresholds in relation to donations etc
96.Section 20 amends a number of sections of and Schedules to the 2000 Act. The effect of these amendments is to increase:
97.Subsection (1) amends the 2000 Act so that the donation threshold is raised from £200 to £500. This threshold is raised in respect of:
98.Subsection (2) of section 20 amends the 2000 Act so that the reporting threshold is raised from £1,000 to £1,500. This threshold is raised in respect of:
99.Subsection (3) of section 20 amends the 2000 Act such that the reporting threshold in certain circumstances is raised from £5,000 to £7,500. This threshold is raised in respect of:
100.Subsection (4) inserts new subsections (3) and (4) into section 155 (power to vary specified sums) of the 2000 Act to require the Secretary of State, at least once in the life of a Parliament lasting more than two years, to vary specified thresholds in the 2000 Act relating to the recording and reporting of donations and loans to take account of changes in the value of money or, if the Secretary of State decides not to do so, to make a statement to Parliament explaining the reasons. New subsection (3) of section 155 of the 2000 Act provides that the power for the Secretary of State to review thresholds will apply to recordable and reportable donations and loans to registered parties, accounting units of registered parties, individual regulated donees, members associations, recognised third parties and permitted participants in a referendum. Subsection (5) provides that the provisions inserted in the 2000 Act by subsection (4) do not apply during the Parliament during which this Act was passed.