List of landlords who rent offices to MPs

Request

I would like a list of the landlords who rent properties or offices to MPs please.  I am only interested in claims, or information that has been submitted, since May 2015 ie since the election.

I would like to know - landlord name, date this information was given to IPSA and as much of the relevant property address that you are able to give me.


Response

IPSA holds the information that you request.

In our publication policy, we have committed to the annual publication of landlords’ names and the first part of MPs’ postcodes, relating to both their accommodation and offices. The information currently available on our website relates to claims for offices and accommodation in the 2014-15 financial year. Information relating to the 2015-16 financial year, including the information that you have requested, will be published following the end of the financial year.

Section 22(1) of the FOIA states that information intended for future publication is exempt from release. We have considered whether the public interest in releasing the information right now outweighs the application of the exemption. It is our opinion that the public interest is best served by publishing a full list representing the position of all MPs across each financial year rather than on an ad hoc basis. In this way a clear and complete set of information is published – in line with our stated publication policy - avoiding any potential confusion. Sticking to our stated publication policy also provides a fair balance between landlords and MPs, whose personal data is being disclosed, and members of the public, who we believe have a legitimate right to scrutinise MPs’ expenditure. It is for this reason that the application of the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this stage.

Ref:
CAS-28193
Disclosure:
29 September 2015
Categories:
MPs' OFFICE COSTS
Exemptions Applied:
Section 22