House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Returning Officer indemnities
21 February 2024 · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Proposed by Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities proposes to continue providing specific indemnities until May 2028 for Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
- The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities proposes to extend current indemnity arrangements for UK parliamentary elections and recall petitions until May 2029.
- The department has laid a Minute to extend current indemnity arrangements and will consider future renewals as part of the government's normal course of business.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the need for indemnifying Returning Officers and Petition Officers against uninsured claims arising from their duties in Police and Crime Commissioner elections, UK parliamentary elections, and recall petitions.
Action requested
DLUHC proposes to continue providing specific indemnities until May 2028 for PCC elections and May 2029 for UK Parliamentary elections and recall petitions. The department has laid a Minute extending current arrangements and future renewals will be considered part of the government's normal course of business.
Key facts
- The existing indemnities for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections run out on 1st May 2024.
- The existing indemnity for recall petitions runs out on 6th May 2024.
- Indemnities will cover costs arising in relation to PCC elections until 2nd May 2028 and UK Parliamentary elections/recall petitions until 2nd May 2029.
- The indemnities are unlimited in terms of the maximum amount covered per claim but subject to exceptions identified in the departmental Minute.