Organisation structure of IPSA and MPs' pay and expense information

Organisation structure

Attached is an organisation chart which shows IPSA’s structure.  IPSA is a new and evolving organisation and as such not all positions shown on the chart have been filled or are operational.  A review of this structure will take place in the autumn to ensure that the organisation is well placed to deliver its objectives. IPSA is expected to be fully staffed by October 2010, with a total of 57 posts.

Communications function

In order to fulfil its function, IPSA needs to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders: Members of Parliament, MPs’ staff, the House of Commons, the media and the general public. There is widespread public interest in IPSA’s activities and it is important for IPSA to be properly resourced to respond to this interest.

MPs’ Pay and Expenses

In the performance of their parliamentary duties, MPs incur a wide range of expenses associated with renting and running offices, employing staff, travelling on parliamentary business and to Westminster, temporary accommodation and so on.  MPs’ expenses are more complex than is typically experienced in a corporate environment.   Details of the full range of reimbursable expenses and the conditions required for reimbursement can be seen in the MPs’ Expenses Scheme (available on our website at www.parliamentarystandards.org.uk).   

Civil Service policies could not be applied as the patterns of MPs work and the expenses incurred are quite different from those of civil servants. It was not possible to use the payroll functions of other government departments as IPSA is an independent body (not a government department) and is required to administer the MPs’  Expenses Scheme, which involves the handling of sensitive personal data on behalf of MPs and their staff.  

IPSA handles the salaries of approximately 3,000 different people, many of whom are employed by more than one MP.