Names of MPs currently employing staff members on casual contracts

Request

I would like to apply under FOI for the names of all those MPs currently employing staff on zero hours (or "casual) contracts along with the number of contracts each of those MPs has issued.


Response

IPSA holds the information that you request.

In responding to your request, we have interpreted your request for the number of MPs’ staff on zero-hour contracts as the number of MP’s staff who are contracted on an hourly rate rather than a salary.

As your original request refers to a blanket disclosure rather than focusing on specific individuals, our response is framed in the same terms. In IPSA’s view, the release of the names of MPs who employ individuals on an hourly rate could likely lead to the identification of those individuals. This is especially of concern where those individuals are junior members of staff or in circumstances where the MP has a small number of staff. In such circumstances, it would be possible for other staff members within the office to identify the contractual terms of their colleagues. In the interests of protecting the personal data of those junior members of staff, we are therefore withholding the names of those Members of Parliament under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act.

Section 40(2) provides that personal data about third parties is exempt information if one of the conditions set out in section 40(3) is satisfied. Under the FOI Act disclosure of this information would breach the fair processing principle (Principle 1) and Section 10 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), where it would be unfair to those persons or is confidential. For further information, you may wish to visit the UK Legislation website.

Ref:
F1415-024
Disclosure:
28 May 2014
Categories:
MPs' STAFFING
Exemptions Applied:
Section 40