We need a donation cap for ALL donors

Rt Hon Steve Reed MP
Secretary of State
Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government
London

10th April 2026 

Dear Secretary of State,

We welcome the Government’s stated intention of restricting big donations from overseas voters, as recommended by the Rycroft report into foreign interference. 

However, you will have noticed reports in the media this week about foreign-based billionaires quickly finding a way around the new £100,000 donation cap you announced two weeks ago.

We believe it’s likely that other donors living abroad will find ways around the new law - either by securing a UK address or potentially giving via a UK-based company. 

The very money that Rycroft and the Government were so concerned about will still be able to flow into our politics.

We believe that the only way to keep this money out is a donations cap for ALL donors, not just those overseas.

We believe that no one, regardless of where they live, should be able to make ‘game-changing’ donations. 

We hope you will amend the Representation of the People Bill to introduce a donation cap for all donors, domestic or overseas, to ensure that our political system is fair and representative of the people.

Such a cap would enjoy wide support from the public and would do much to improve trust in our politics.

Yours sincerely,
Tom Brake
CEO
Unlock Democracy