How often are general elections held in the UK?

General elections in the United Kingdom are held every five years. This duration is established by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, which aims to provide a consistent schedule for general elections, reducing the power of the Prime Minister to call for elections at their discretion.

This five-year cycle allows for a stable timeframe within which a government can work on its agenda, and it ensures that the electorate can participate in a structured democratic process. Changes in government can occur if a vote of no confidence is passed or if two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons vote for an early election, but the general rule remains a five-year cycle.