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<p>I have asked IPSA to reply.</p><p>As the system is new, IPSA continue to work closely
with MPs and their staff to help them understand how IPSA Online works, and how to
realise the full benefits. We are continuing to hold group and one-to-one training
in Parliament and have staff available on the phone to answer queries. IPSA are conducting
a survey to gather more feedback about the new system, with plans for further improvements
in due course. IPSA will report to the Speaker’s Committee for the IPSA later in the
year on the overall costs and benefits of IPSA Online.</p><p>During the development
of the new system, IPSA Online, IPSA carried out usability testing to look at how
long a range of tasks and functions would take, compared with the old claims system.
Based on this testing, IPSA found that improvements in the new system would take MPs
and their staff about 30 per cent less time, due to the simplification of processes
and forms. Feedback collected at training sessions also indicated that MPs’ staff
expected IPSA Online to be easier and quicker to use than the old system.</p><p>MPs
and their staff members will also benefit from the following time-saving changes:</p><p>-
‘Single sign-on’ capability enables MPs and their staff to access IPSA Online directly
through their secure parliamentary account without an additional logon.</p><p>- The
new system allows claims from different budgets to be submitted on the same form,
rather than having to submit multiple forms.</p><p>- Because MPs and staff no longer
need to send paper receipts and invoices to IPSA, but can scan or photograph them
and upload them digitally onto the system, we can process and reimburse claims more
quickly.</p><p>- Staff members can now be reimbursed directly by IPSA for their own
expenses, so that MPs no longer need to wait to pay staff once they themselves have
been reimbursed.</p><p>- Additional information is available to them directly, for
example on the amounts left in budgets and the status of any repayments or amounts
owed, so MPs and their staff no longer need to wait for a monthly financial statement
or contact IPSA staff to ask about these issues.</p><p>- MPs and their staff are now
able to amend their personal details, including any change of name or address, on
the new system themselves, without needing to submit a form to IPSA</p>
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