When moving offices, IPSA considered locations only in London and the South East, as evidence from other public bodies shows that organisations that relocate by a significant distance tend to lose more staff. IPSA is a small organisation and wished to retain its staff in order to continue uninterrupted its support to MPs, including regular meetings between them and their IPSA account managers, and its assurance to the public about MPs\u2019 spending.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131046/answer/previousversion/123714", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-20T12:07:20.383Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "90"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Location"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, for what reason the Authority did not consider locations for its offices outside London and the South-East.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "262236"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131047", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131047/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is common practice for landlords to prohibit the publication of commercial agreements reached with their tenants. This is the case regarding the lease signed by IPSA and its landlord. IPSA is nonetheless a public body accountable to Parliament and its accounts are audited by the National Audit Office and scrutinised by the Speaker\u2019s Committee for the IPSA in order to provide assurance that value for money has been obtained. The Speaker\u2019s Committee is scheduled to meet in July 2019 to discuss IPSA\u2019s finances and other matters.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1131047/answer/previousversion/123713", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-20T12:09:00.893Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "90"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Offices"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2019 to Question 257645 on Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Buildings, which organisation's commercial interests would be prejudiced; and in what manner by disclosing the size of IPSA's office and the rate paid per metre.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "262237"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128813", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128813/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have asked IPSA to reply.<\/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\u2019s Committee for the IPSA later in the year on the overall costs and benefits of IPSA Online.<\/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\u2019 staff expected IPSA Online to be easier and quicker to use than the old system.<\/p>
MPs and their staff members will also benefit from the following time-saving changes:<\/p>
- \u2018Single sign-on\u2019 capability enables MPs and their staff to access IPSA Online directly through their secure parliamentary account without an additional logon.<\/p>
- The new system allows claims from different budgets to be submitted on the same form, rather than having to submit multiple forms.<\/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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128813/answer/previousversion/121410", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} } , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-13T14:53:00.463Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "90"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: ICT"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2019 to Question 253492 on Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: ICT, what the evidential basis is for the assertion that the new system will save time for Members and their staff.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "258986"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128446", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1128446/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have asked IPSA to reply.<\/p>
IPSA currently has 69 members of staff. It included in its office requirements space for up to 76 staff in order to provide flexibility for periods where there is a higher volume of work and therefore a need for additional temporary staff, such as General Election periods.<\/p>
To disclose the size of the office or rate paid per square metre would be prejudicial to commercial interests. IPSA\u2019s annual accounts are laid in Parliament and published each year, and will provide information about operational costs.<\/p>
Before choosing its offices at 85 Strand, IPSA considered potential premises in Croydon and Milton Keynes, as well as Stratford and Canary Wharf in London, but determined that the selected location provided the prospect of better support to MPs and better value for money for the taxpayer.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1493", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Charles Walker"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Broxbourne"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Charles Walker"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-05T09:35:36.71Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "90"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Buildings"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2019 to Question 253493 on Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Location, how many staff are located in the new premises at 85 Strand; how much floor space those staff occupy; at what rate per square metre; which locations were considered outside London for new premises; and what the comparable cost would have been in locating those staff outside London.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for John Spellar"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Warley"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "John Spellar"} ], "uin" : "257645"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 4, "type" : "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"} }