Sinn Féin has biggest income and spending in Northern Ireland by far

Sinn Féin continues to be the party in Northern Ireland with the highest income and the highest spending, according to the latest party financial accounts published by the North's Electoral Commission.

Up to December 31st, 2020, Sinn Féin had an income of £801,145 and an expenditure of £1,338,666.

In terms of income and spending this was more than double that of the DUP, which had an income of £340,656 and outgoings of £338,541.

Next on the list was the Ulster Unionist Party, with income of £317,900 and expenditure of £239,038.

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It was followed by the Alliance Party with income of £282,958 and spending of £241,578.

The SDLP had income of £206,736 and spending of £162,177.

The Socialist Party in Northern Ireland had income of £95,507 and spending of £91,109.

The Greens took in £80,931 and spent £57,681 while People Before Profit had income of £38,672 and spending of £28,796.

The Traditional Unionist Voice Party took in £31,932 and spent £28,700.

Aontú had income of £17,978 and spending of £20,452.

In total, 30 parties reported £2,237,841 of income and £2,569,735 of expenditure. This compared with accounts for 2019 in which 28 parties reported £4,275,093 of income and £3,312,540 of expenditure.

Cahir Hughes, head of the Electoral Commission, said publishing such data helped voters see political parties’ income and what they were spending.

“This is an important part of delivering transparency in political finance in Northern Ireland, and in enhancing public confidence and trust in our democratic processes,” he said.