3(1)This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a parliamentary general election.
(2)The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is—
(a)in relation to England, £793,500;
(b)in relation to Scotland, £108,000;
(c)in relation to Wales, £60,000; and
(d)in relation to Northern Ireland, £27,000.
(3)For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is—
(a)(subject to paragraph (b)) the period of 365 days ending with the date of the poll for the election;
(b)where the election (“the election in question”) follows another parliamentary general election held less than 365 days previously, the period—
(i)beginning with the day after the date of the poll for the earlier election, and
(ii)ending with the date of the poll for the election in question.
4(1)This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a general election to the European Parliament.
(2)The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is—
(a)in relation to England, £159,750;
(b)in relation to Scotland, £18,000;
(c)in relation to Wales, £11,259; and
(d)in relation to Northern Ireland, £6,750.
(3)For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is the period of four months ending with the date of the poll for the election.
5(1)This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament.
(2)The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Scotland is £75,800.
(3)In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.
(4)In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—
(a)the date of the poll is that determined by section 2(2) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998; or
(b)no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 2(5) of that Act; or
(c)no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 2(5) of that Act;
but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of the Act.
(5)In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Presiding Officer proposes a day for the poll for the election under section 3(1) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.
6(1)This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary election to the Welsh Assembly.
(2)The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Wales is £30,000.
(3)For the purposes of this paragraph “the relevant period” is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.
(4)In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” is the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—
(a)the date of the poll is that determined by section 3(2) of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;
(b)no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 3(3) of that Act; or
(c)no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of the Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 3(3) of that Act;
but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act.
7(1)This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
(2)The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £15,300.
(3)In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.
(4)In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—
(a)the date of the poll is that determined by section 31(1) and (2) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998; or
(b)no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 31(3) of that Act; or
(c)no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 31(3) of that Act;
but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act.
(5)In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Secretary of State proposes a date for the poll for the election under section 32(1) or (3) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.