Headline: Burnham Government Pledges Action on Political ‘Mega-Donors’

Date: 3 September 2026

Tags: UK Politics, Political Donations, Elections, Parliament

Summary:

• Andy Burnham’s government says it is determined to tackle large donations from wealthy individuals to UK political parties.

• A new cross-government team will examine options for limiting donations from UK-based donors.

• There is currently no limit on how much UK-based individuals can donate to political parties or politicians.

• Labour has already proposed a £100,000 annual limit for British citizens living overseas.

• More than 60 MPs backed a proposal initially limiting UK-based donations to £500,000 before reducing the cap to £100,000.

• Reform UK criticised the proposed reforms, arguing they could disproportionately restrict its political funding.

• Reform received a £9 million individual donation last year, described as a UK record from a living person.

• Some MPs argued trade unions should be exempt from donation limits, prompting criticism from Reform.

• The wider legislation includes tougher company-donation checks and voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds.

• MPs approved the Representation of the People Bill by 411 votes to 102 before further House of Lords scrutiny.

Why this matters: Donation limits could significantly change how British political parties raise campaign funds and address concerns about wealthy donors' influence.

What’s next: The government’s new team will develop proposals for UK-based donation limits before ministers decide whether to introduce further restrictions.