Information relating to MPs' expenses rules

Request

  1. Is any limit applied to the expenses MPs can claim as long as they are deemed legitimate expenses?

  2. If there is a limit, how is it calculated and monitored?

  3. Has this limit been reduced or increased over recent years?


Response

IPSA holds the information that you request.

The MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses (‘the Scheme’) establishes the guidelines for expense claims made by Members of Parliament.

Taking your requests in turn:

  • Is any limit applied to the expenses MPs can claim as long as they are deemed legitimate expenses?

Full details of all the budgetary limits, for the categories that have limits, are set out in the Scheme, which can be viewed at the link provided above.

  • If there is a limit, how is it calculated and monitored?

IPSA commits to a regular review of the Scheme, part of which involves carrying out public consultations.  The results of all the consultations IPSA has undertaken, which includes the responses received, are published on our website.

  • Has this limit been reduced or increased over recent years?

All editions of the Scheme can be found on our website, where you will be able to review any changes that have been made to budgetary limits over recent years.  The most recent edition of the scheme, which can be viewed at the link provided above, provides a summary of all the changes from the previous edition.

Ref:
FOI2013-A216
Disclosure:
14 April 2013
Categories:
IPSA - POLICYGENERAL EXPENSES ENQUIRY
Exemptions Applied:
Cost limit