Overview

This bill amends the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, changing the number of parliamentary constituencies in the UK and adjusting the rules determining their size and electorate. It aims to update the electoral boundaries and ensure a fairer representation of the population.

Description

The key changes introduced by the bill are:

• Increased Number of Constituencies: The number of constituencies in the UK will increase from 600 to 650.
• Revised Electorate Size: The bill modifies the permitted range for the number of electors per constituency. The electorate of any constituency must now be between 90% and 110% of the UK electoral quota, instead of the previous 95% to 105%. The quota itself is also adjusted, with consequential changes to related calculations.
• Updated Electorate Data: The calculation of the UK electorate will now be based on electoral registers published in 2017 or later, providing more up-to-date data.
• Boundary Commission Reporting Schedule: Boundary Commissions will submit reports periodically, with the next report due by October 1st, 2018, and subsequent reports every ten years thereafter.

Government Spending

The bill mandates that any expenditure incurred due to its implementation, and any increase in sums payable under other Acts as a result of this bill, will be funded from money provided by Parliament. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect:

• Voters: The changes to constituency boundaries will affect which constituency each voter belongs to, potentially changing their MP.
• Members of Parliament (MPs): The increased number of constituencies will lead to more MPs being elected.
• Political Parties: The redistribution of constituencies may affect the balance of power between parties.
• Boundary Commissions: They are responsible for redrawing constituency boundaries based on the new rules outlined in the bill.

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