Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 597
Published 13 December 2021
Government response
Fourth Special Report - The Elections Bill: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 10 Feb 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
23
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 109
We welcome the Government’s move to update electoral law to widen the requirement for anyone...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s move to update electoral law to widen the requirement for anyone and everybody who may have a disability or a need for support in casting their vote. We also take on board the concerns expressed by …
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Government Response Summary
The government agreed that the Electoral Commission will produce guidance for Returning Officers on supporting disabled voters, developed with an expert group including RNIB, but indicated that this support would be in guidance rather than codified in legislation or through minimum equipment standards.
24
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
There will inevitably be cost implications associated with widening the support for people with disabilities.
Recommendation
There will inevitably be cost implications associated with widening the support for people with disabilities. The Government should set out how much it expects new equipment to cost and indicate what financial support will be made available to local authorities …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the costs associated with supporting disabled voters and commits to meeting these new burdens through funding, but does not provide specific cost estimates or detailed financial support mechanisms for local authorities as requested.