Oral Question·Department for International Trade
“What steps she is taking to support effective parliamentary scrutiny of new free trade agreements.”
Tabled: 2 February 2023Answered: 9 February 2023
Asked by
Liz Twist
Labour — Blaydon and Consett
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for International Trade
Answer from Hansard
Sir Jeremy Wright (Kenilworth and Southam)
There are high levels of compliance with the UK’s political donation laws. The Electoral Commission currently has a range of powers to investigate and sanction suspected breaches of the law, but it has recommended making its enforcement powers more effective. It has also recommended increasing the maximum fine for breaches of the law from £20,000 to £500,000, which would ensure that the prospect of a fine acts as a more proportionate and credible deterrent.