Policy paper

Indemnity for Returning Officers at UK Parliamentary elections

This indemnity is provided to Returning Officers and Acting Returning Officers in relation to UK Parliamentary elections.

• From: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
• Published: 14 January 2021
• Last updated: 23 February 2024 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Documents

UK Parliamentary elections: DLUHC indemnity

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Departmental minute: Indemnity for Returning Officers and Acting Returning Officers at UK Parliamentary elections

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Details

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will continue to indemnify Returning Officers in England, Scotland and Wales against uninsured claims that arise out of the conduct of their duties in the course of a UK parliamentary election or by-election taking place up to 2 May 2029. This is because for the purposes of UK Parliamentary elections, Returning Officers and Acting Returning Officers throughout Great Britain are statutorily independent officers and are separate from both central and local government. As a result, they are exposed to a variety of legal risks and challenges.

Returning Officers and Petition Officers can view the previous indemnities on the GOV.UK archive.

Published 14 January 2021
Last updated 23 February 2024 + show all updates

1. 23 February 2024

   Added updated indemnity and departmental minute.

2. 14 January 2021

   First published.