Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Finance
The question
To ask the hon. Member for Warrington North, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether there is any different funding provided by IPSA to MPs representing constituencies with populations a) below 30,000 and b) above 130,000.
Answered by Charlotte Nichols
IPSA sets core staffing and office costs budgets which differ depending on whether an MP's constituency is based in London or is outside of London. This is because IPSA recognises the increase costs of being based in the capital.
IPSA does recognise there are many other factors that may present increased costs for MPs, including constituency demographics, socio-economic differences, and geographical factors. However, rather than seeking to devise and justify different budgets for all MPs, IPSA provides exceptional funding to support thos who have a proven requirement for additional support.
MPs run their offices in different ways, and it is not for IPSA to make assumptions as to how various factors will affect work that they undertake. IPSA takes a flexible approach which respons on a case-by-case basis with targeted and tailored support where it is needed.
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