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1351303

registered interest
date	18/08/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether provisional driving licences will be considered valid voter ID.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	40973
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2021 answer text <p>Yes. As set out in Schedule 1, Paragraph 15 of the Elections Bill, provisional licences will be accepted as a valid form of photographic identification for the purpose of voting at polling stations. The Bill outlines that a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 will be considered acceptable, and this includes provisional driving licences.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 06/09/2021 16:50:56 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1343001

registered interest
date	01/07/2021
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has conducted an equalities impact assessment of Voter ID proposals for LGBTQ+ people and those who do not have access to formal identification that reflects their gender identity.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	25920
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2021 answer text <p>An Equality Impact Assessment, which includes information on voter identification, was published alongside the Elections Bill:</p><p><a href="https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3020/publications" target="_blank">https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3020/publications</a></p><p>We continue to work with local authorities, the Electoral Commission, charities and civil society organisations to make sure that reforms, including the provision of the free, locally issued Voter Card, are delivered in a way that is inclusive for all voters.</p><p>Everyone who is eligible to vote will continue to have the opportunity to do so.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith question first answered 09/07/2021 11:11:32 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1272133

registered interest
date	17/12/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that people suffering from dementia who lack ID will be able to vote under voter ID plans.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	131329
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2021 answer text <p>Further to my answers to PQs <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-10-16/104752" target="_blank">104752 </a>and <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-10-07/100442" target="_blank">100442</a>, the Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who is eligible can participate in our democracy.</p><p>The impact of voter ID on voters, including by proxy, was the subject of the independent Electoral Commission’s evaluations of the 2018 and 2019 voter ID pilots. These evaluations continue to inform planning for the implementation of voter ID.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for designating polling places and the law requires them to make sure that, as far as is practicable, these are accessible to the local community, including those voters with a disability. Voters with disabilities are also able to get assistance in casting their vote from polling station staff or from a companion. The Government is intending to bring forward legislation to support voters with disabilities by increasing the range of support provided in polling stations and by removing restrictions on who can act as a companion.</p><p>We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders including charities and civil society organisations to make sure that reforms are delivered in a way that is inclusive for all voters.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 131327 131328 131330 question first answered 11/01/2021 16:48:41 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1272139

registered interest
date	17/12/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking under voter ID plans to support people with disabilities in accessing local elector ID.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	131330
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2021 answer text <p>Further to my answers to PQs <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-10-16/104752" target="_blank">104752 </a>and <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-10-07/100442" target="_blank">100442</a>, the Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who is eligible can participate in our democracy.</p><p>The impact of voter ID on voters, including by proxy, was the subject of the independent Electoral Commission’s evaluations of the 2018 and 2019 voter ID pilots. These evaluations continue to inform planning for the implementation of voter ID.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for designating polling places and the law requires them to make sure that, as far as is practicable, these are accessible to the local community, including those voters with a disability. Voters with disabilities are also able to get assistance in casting their vote from polling station staff or from a companion. The Government is intending to bring forward legislation to support voters with disabilities by increasing the range of support provided in polling stations and by removing restrictions on who can act as a companion.</p><p>We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders including charities and civil society organisations to make sure that reforms are delivered in a way that is inclusive for all voters.</p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 131327 131328 131329 question first answered 11/01/2021 16:48:41 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1271552

registered interest
date	15/12/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of introducing mandatory voter ID on the Traveller and Roma communities’ ability to vote.
tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
uin	HL11488
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/12/2020 answer text <p>Requiring proof of identity to vote in a polling station will strengthen the integrity of our electoral system, and give the public confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century.</p><p>We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission, charities and civil society organisations, including those that represent Traveller and Roma communities, to make sure that reforms are delivered in a way that is inclusive for all voters.</p><p>As the legislation is brought forward the appropriate impact assessments will be provided for Parliament in the normal way.</p><p>Showing ID is something people of all backgrounds already do every day, for example, to take out a library book, claim benefits or pick up a parcel from the post office. Proving who you are before you make a decision of huge importance at the ballot box should be no different.</p><p>The list of approved photographic ID will not be limited to passports and driving licences, a broad range of commonly held photographic documents will be accepted. For any voter who does not have one of the required forms of photographic ID, a local elector ID will be available, free of charge, from their local authority. Everyone who is eligible to vote will have the opportunity to do so.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 23/12/2020 10:36:23 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

1236993

registered interest
date	23/09/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Age UK and (b) other organisations representing older people and people with dementia on the potential effect of introducing mandatory voter ID on the ability of such groups of people to be able to vote.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	94457
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2020 answer text <p>Requiring proof of identity to vote in a polling station will strengthen the integrity of our electoral system, and give the public confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century.</p><p>Both Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office evaluations show that the voter identification pilots were a success and the overwhelming majority of electors cast their vote without a problem. There was no indication that any consistent demographic was adversely affected by asking for identification to vote.</p><p>Photo identification has been required in Northern Ireland since 2003, when introduced by the last Labour Government. Labour Ministers told Parliament: “The measures will tackle electoral abuse effectively without disadvantaging honest voters.... [ensuring that] no one is disfranchised because of them ” (Hansard, 10 July 2001, Col. 739) and “the Government have no intention of taking away people’s democratic right to vote. If we believed that thousands of voters would not be able to vote because of this measure, we would not be introducing it at this time” (Lords Hansard, 1 April 2003, Col. 1247). There has been no adverse effect on turnout or participation by such groups since then.</p><p>The Government has taken due regard to the public sector equality duty. We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders including charities and civil society organisations to make sure that such reforms are inclusive for all voters. I have met with charities representing those who are elderly, suffer from dementia, are LGBTQ+, are BAME and other groups. For any voter who does not have one of the required forms of photographic ID, a local elector ID will be available, free of charge, from their local authority.</p><p>ID is already requested normally and reasonably in many areas of life, including by many constituency Labour parties, who require voter identification to vote in Labour Party selection meetings. The Labour Party’s NEC also mandates two forms of ID for any members joining an association which is in special measures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 94462 94531 question first answered 01/10/2020 08:27:05 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1236998

registered interest
date	23/09/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of introducing mandatory voter ID on the ability of the Roma and Traveller community to vote.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	94462
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/10/2020 answer text <p>Requiring proof of identity to vote in a polling station will strengthen the integrity of our electoral system, and give the public confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century.</p><p>Both Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office evaluations show that the voter identification pilots were a success and the overwhelming majority of electors cast their vote without a problem. There was no indication that any consistent demographic was adversely affected by asking for identification to vote.</p><p>Photo identification has been required in Northern Ireland since 2003, when introduced by the last Labour Government. Labour Ministers told Parliament: “The measures will tackle electoral abuse effectively without disadvantaging honest voters.... [ensuring that] no one is disfranchised because of them ” (Hansard, 10 July 2001, Col. 739) and “the Government have no intention of taking away people’s democratic right to vote. If we believed that thousands of voters would not be able to vote because of this measure, we would not be introducing it at this time” (Lords Hansard, 1 April 2003, Col. 1247). There has been no adverse effect on turnout or participation by such groups since then.</p><p>The Government has taken due regard to the public sector equality duty. We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders including charities and civil society organisations to make sure that such reforms are inclusive for all voters. I have met with charities representing those who are elderly, suffer from dementia, are LGBTQ+, are BAME and other groups. For any voter who does not have one of the required forms of photographic ID, a local elector ID will be available, free of charge, from their local authority.</p><p>ID is already requested normally and reasonably in many areas of life, including by many constituency Labour parties, who require voter identification to vote in Labour Party selection meetings. The Labour Party’s NEC also mandates two forms of ID for any members joining an association which is in special measures.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 94457 94531 question first answered 01/10/2020 08:27:05 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1169465

registered interest
date	08/01/2020
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government's plans to roll-out Voter ID will require (a) primary or (b) secondary legislation.
tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
uin	1280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/01/2020 answer text <p>The Government will bring forward measures requiring electors to show an approved form of photographic ID before casting their vote in a polling station in a UK parliamentary election in Great Britain and local election in England. Any voter who does not have an approved form of ID will be able to apply, free of charge, for a local electoral identity document.</p><p>The Government remains committed to introducing Voter ID ahead of the next scheduled general election. We will bring forward primary legislation enabling the implementation of Voter ID when Parliamentary time allows.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Norwich North answering member printed Chloe Smith grouped question UIN 1281 question first answered 17/01/2020 13:02:15 answering member 1609 label Biography information for Chloe Smith
tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1149408

registered interest
date	15/10/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the evaluation of Voter ID Pilots 2019, published in July 2019, if he will publish the cost data from all pilot authorities.
tabling member constituency	Lancaster and Fleetwood
tabling member printed	Cat Smith
uin	618
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>Voter ID is part of a body of work this Government is delivering to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and give the public confidence our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century. The pilots were run to give us a deeper understanding of how voter ID will work on a wider scale - and what works best for voters - before national roll-out.</p><p>The costs of testing models of voter ID as part of the 2018 pilots have already been published and the costs of testing voter ID as part of the 2019 pilots will be published when all accounts with the piloting authorities have been settled.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 434 question first answered 21/10/2019 14:02:52 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4436 label Biography information for Cat Smith

1148993

registered interest
date	14/10/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Elections: Proof of Identity
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the application process for a local electoral identity document will be; and how identity will be verified.
tabling member constituency	Leigh
tabling member printed	Jo Platt
uin	354
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/10/2019 answer text <p>The Government will bring forward measures to introduce voter ID when parliamentary time allows.</p><p>As was the case in the 2018 and 2019 voter ID pilots, electors who do not have any of the required types of ID will be able to apply for a locally issued electoral identity document, free of charge. We will continue building on this experience and working with the pilot authorities who have tested voter ID, the Electoral Commission, and the Cabinet Office pilot and reference group to develop a process for national implementation.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 17/10/2019 10:38:51 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4673 label Biography information for Jo Platt