Description of MPs' Allowances

Updated March 2008

1) Additional Costs Allowance (ACA)/ cost of staying away from main home:

Paid to reimburse Members for necessary costs incurred when staying overnight away from their main home for the purpose of performing parliamentary duties.

2) Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) / Office running costs and

3) Staffing Allowance:

These budgets support Members in undertaking their parliamentary and constituency work. Budget flexibilities (see below) between these allowances and between years mean that they should be considered together.

The Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) can be used to meet the cost of: accommodation for office or surgery use; equipment and supplies for office or surgery; work commissioned or other services; and certain travel and communications.

The Staffing Allowance is paid to enable Members to employ staff. Staff salaries are paid directly to staff by the House of Commons Department of Resources. The IEP can also be used to cover certain staff related costs.

Members are permitted to transfer funds from the IEP to the Staffing Allowance. In addition, up to 10% of their Staffing Allowance can be transferred to the IEP provided they run a constituency office.

Members are also allowed to carry forward unused funds in the IEP and Staffing Allowance from one allowance year to the next or to draw down an advance from the next year’s budget. In both cases the Member’s allowance limit will be increased or decreased accordingly. The carry forward/draw down facility is only permitted for specific purposes and requires prior approval by the Department of Resources.

4) Centrally Purchased Stationery:

The cost of stationery items ordered from a central supplier for use in direct connection with a Member’s parliamentary duties. The 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 figures do not include associated postage costs.

5) Postage associated with the use of centrally purchased stationery:

The cost of postage associated with the use of stationery with pre-paid postage ordered from the central supplier for use in direct connection with Members’ parliamentary duties.

6) Centrally Provided Computer Equipment:

The cost of equipment supplied on loan to each Member.  The provision allows Members two printers and a maximum of five computers, comprised of up to four desktop PCs and three laptops. The figures show the asset value spread over a four-year period.

7) Staff cover and other costs:

Costs incurred from central budgets, including:

• a temporary secretarial allowance for additional help when Members' staff are absent due to sickness or maternity leave;

• additional security costs for the office up to a maximum entitlement of £1,500;

• exceptional needs support which provides for short term additional help to Members whose constituencies have particular problems;

• a winding-up allowance (WUA) payable to defeated or retiring Members after the date on which they cease to be Members of Parliament. This covers the reimbursement of the cost of any work necessary, including staff and office costs, to conclude their parliamentary business after the date on which they cease to be Members of Parliament.

8) Communications Allowance:

Used to meet expenses for:

• Regular reports and constituency newsletters

• Questionnaires and surveys

• Petitions

• Targeted communications

• Contact cards

• Distribution costs including direct mailing and postage

• Websites

• Some capital purchases

Funds can be transferred from the Incidental Expenses Provision and Staffing Allowance  to the Communications Allowance.  However, funds cannot be transferred from the Communications Allowance to any other parliamentary allowance.

9) Members' Travel:

Members’ travel entitlements cover the cost of travel on parliamentary business within the UK; European travel; and select committee travel to and from committee embarkation points (but not the cost of the visit itself). The table does not include travel on parliamentary select committee or delegation business. Certain elements of the travel allowances are taxable.

* MP Travel: Regular journeys between home/ constituency/ Westminster:

* MP Travel: Other:

Relates to journeys undertaken elsewhere in the UK on parliamentary business under the categories of mileage, rail and air.  Also European travel and subsistence costs for up to 3 visits per year to EU institutions, EU agencies, the national parliaments of EU member states, European Free Trade Association states, or candidate countries. 

* MP spouse and family travel:

Members’ spouses, civil partners and children up to the age of 18 are each entitled to up to 30 single journeys each year between London and the constituency or the Member’s main home. The figures relate to total costs and numbers of journeys made. Family travel, and some elements of spouse travel, is subject to tax.

* MP employee travel:

Each Member is entitled to claim costs of up to a total of 24 single journeys for staff per year between Westminster and the constituency. The figures relate to total costs and numbers of journeys made.