Claims for Security Assistance made by MPs since June 2016

Security Assistance may be claimed under the MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses (‘the Scheme’) for additional security measures that are necessary to enable the MP’s parliamentary functions to be undertaken.

IPSA takes the security of MPs very seriously. We wrote to all MPs earlier this year to inform them of the security support available, which includes security at their home and at constituency offices.

Claims for Security Assistance do not follow the same claims validation process utilised for most other claims made under the Scheme. Instead there is an application process outlined in the security options package issued by IPSA, which were prepared by security experts in the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

Due to the sensitive nature of claims for Security Assistance, details of individual claims are not published. However, at the end of each financial year we publish the total figure for claims made during the year. You can find this information on our website via this link.

MPs may still choose to claim routine security costs from their standard budgets (eg. Office Costs Expenditure) as a standard claim. Details of such claims would be published on our website under the relevant expense type. The information contained within this response below relates to all claims made for security, including those made under the Security Assistance budget and any other available budget.

Taking your requests for information in turn:

• How much has been spent on additional security measures for MPs at their homes and offices since the death of Jo Cox MP on June 16 2016, including claims made through the Office Costs Expenditure budget and the Security Assistance budget?

Since 16 June 2016, £1,147,936.24 has been spent on claims for security by MPs. This includes claims made through the Office Costs Expenditure budget and the Security Assistance budget.

• How many lone worker devices have been claimed for by MPs since the death of Jo Cox MP on June 16 2016?

Since 16 June 2016, 164 applications for lone worker devices have been approved by IPSA for MPs and their staff.

• How many MPs have claimed for an enhanced security package since the death of Jo Cox MP on June 16 2016?

Since 16 June 2016, 85 applications for enhanced security have been approved by IPSA.

• Which body is responsible for holding information regarding MPs reporting specific threats? Is there an MPs support team?

MPs report specific threats to PLaIT, the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team.