Electoral staff hit out at plan to scrap holiday reimbursement scheme

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced plans to scrap the scheme in an elections bulletin this month, stating that the scheme, introduced in 2017, was never intended to be an ongoing provision.

The Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) said it is "disappointed" in the move, adding that it "directly impacts the individuals who put their lives, and those of their families, on hold to deliver democracy".

It warned that election staff may choose not to make themselves available to support the running of an unexpected election under the plans.

"That so many electoral administrators were willing to postpone or cancel their planned holidays to run three UK Parliamentary General Elections (UKPGEs) in just seven years is testament to their dedication and professionalism," the AEA said.

It added: "This was especially acute in 2024 as the UKPGE was called the week before half-term holidays in England and Wales, with the 4 July polling day falling during school summer holidays in Northern Ireland and Scotland."

The group said it would like to see the Government "carefully consider the timing" of future UKPGEs, as short-notice polls "bring additional risk across an already complicated system".

In its bulletin, MHCLG said the scheme "was never intended as an ongoing provision but was extended to the 2019 and 2024 General Elections due to their short-notice nature".

The bulletin described it as "untenable" for the Government to assess the range and complexity of cancelled holiday requests it had seen, particularly when assessing claims involving non-monetary elements such as timeshare credits.

"Elections staff obtaining travel insurance or making alternative arrangements which better fit their particular needs would be a more sensible approach going forward," the document said.

Adam Carey