In the midst of a crisis it is important for people to have up to date and accurate information. Recently, you may have seen misleading headlines suggesting that MPs are getting an additional £10,000 to work from home. This is not the case. I want you to know exactly where this money has come from, who it is for, and how it might be used.
I have a small core team of people who help me support Portsmouth South. In line with government guidance, they have now been instructed to work from home.
The independent body in charge of supporting MPs and staff – the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) – has decided to introduce a contingency budget for office equipment.
This is because not all those who now working from home due to the coronavirus outbreak have their own computers, printers and scanners.
You may also be interested to know that I have not yet used any of this money and do not have any current plans to use it.
My small office team are all working from home and I’m liaising with constituents via email, video conferencing and phone. I am also using my website, social media and e-bulletins to keep people updated with the latest information.
The number of people contacting me for assistance has more than trebled over the last 5 weeks as many people struggle with the impacts of coronavirus. This additional funding reserve could help us deal with that increase from home, if necessary. It cannot be used to increase staff pay, or MP’s pay.
MPs themselves are not getting extra money. Funds can only be used if it is needed. As is rightly the case with all allowances used by MPs, any MP making a claim from the budget will have to provide receipts, show it is justified and details will then be published. It is right that the public has access to an open and transparent process.
Since MPs do not receive any money, it cannot be donated. But as part of Labour’s shadow cabinet and as your local MP I’m working hard to get the protective equipment, testing and proper pay our frontline workers need and deserve.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, has released a statement providing additional information on this:
“It is wrong to characterise this extra £10,000 allocated by IPSA as MPs giving themselves additional funds. On the contrary, this money is being used to enable MPs’ staff to set up home working to support distressed constituents at a time of crisis. Many MPs have seen their casework soar as a direct result of coronavirus.
“Enabling staff to work remotely is the best and the safest way for them – and the constituents they are in contact with – to communicate and work together during these difficult times. The additional budget is there to draw down on if it is needed and required – and it will have to be accounted for in the usual way.”
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