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"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126071", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126071/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have asked IPSA to reply.<\/p>
The original April 2016 business case for IPSA\u2019s new IT system, IPSA Online, estimated a cost of £4.641 million. At that time, IPSA expected the programme to be completed in 2017-18. The full costs of the system are now forecast to be £8.253 million.<\/p>
The increase in cost was due in part to the unexpected General Election of June 2017 which diverted all IPSA work for up to nine months to supporting MPs who left or joined parliament, and increased supplier costs. Costs also increased following our change of suppliers in September 2018 to improve the quality of IPSA\u2019s IT support. IPSA also spent longer than anticipated on testing the new system so that IPSA could have confidence that it would be fully secure and free of technical problems. The increases in cost have been partly mitigated by savings elsewhere in IPSA\u2019s budget.<\/p>
The new system administers MPs\u2019 pay and business costs more efficiently and effectively, providing improved support to MPs and their staff while saving taxpayers\u2019 money. MPs and their staff will benefit from these improvements by being able to access information and make changes to their staffing budget or office leases without needing to contact IPSA staff. They can now also access IPSA\u2019s system directly through their secure parliamentary digital account without an additional logon. MPs and staff no longer need to send IPSA paper receipts and invoices through the post, but can scan and photograph them and upload them to IPSA digitally. The new system can also reimburse MPs\u2019 staff directly rather than via the MP. On the basis of the experience so far, IPSA estimate that MPs will need to spend around 30 per cent less time overall on the new system than they did on the old one.<\/p>
However, IPSA recognise that many MPs and their staff still need to get used to the new system. IPSA are therefore conducting group and one-to-one training in Parliament and have staff available on the phone to answer queries. IPSA are putting on more such training sessions in response to demand, with a regular presence in Portcullis House.<\/p>
IPSA will shortly conduct 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>"} , "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" : "2019-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-20T12:41:32.997Z", "_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" : "2019-05-13", "_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 7 May 2019 to Question 249206 on Members: Allowances, what the (a) forecast and (b) final cost was of the new IPSA IT system; and what assessment was made of additional costs that would be incurred by MPs' staff to work on the new system.", "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" : "253492"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126072", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126072/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have asked IPSA to reply.<\/p>
IPSA moved into new office premises at 85 Strand in March 2019. The forecasted cost of this move is £732,900. This budget was approved by the Speaker\u2019s Committee for the IPSA in January 2018. IPSA\u2019s Annual Accounts for the 2018-19 financial year are being finalised and will be laid in Parliament in November. The Speaker\u2019s Committee will have an opportunity to scrutinise this and other expenditure.<\/p>
After reviewing properties on the market, the offices selected met IPSA\u2019s criteria and offered the best value for money to the taxpayer over the long term, with competitive running cost over the life of the lease after completing initial fit-out work. Locations outside of London were considered. IPSA concluded that basing IPSA\u2019s office in London and within reasonable distance of Parliament would ensure that IPSA can provide a better support to MPs and their staff, including regular meetings between them and their IPSA account managers.<\/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" : "2019-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-20T12:40:18.25Z", "_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" : "2019-05-13", "_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, what the cost has been of the move by IPSA to new premises in central London; and what assessment was made of the potential merits of moving the organisation to a cheaper location 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" : "253493"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1123862", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1123862/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As part of its role to approve IPSA\u2019s Estimate, in March 2016, the Speaker\u2019s Committee approved funds for a wide-ranging improvement programme, including plans for a new IT system, IPSA Online. This took into account longstanding feedback from MPs and their staff about the need to modernise and improve IPSA\u2019s systems and processes. In subsequent years, the Speaker\u2019s Committee has scrutinised progress on this programme via the annual Estimate approval process, as well as other formal and informal updates.<\/p>
The Speaker\u2019s Committee had no direct input into the design of IPSA Online, but has received regular updates on the key features of the system and IPSA\u2019s plans for engagement and training activities.<\/p>
More generally, IPSA engaged with MPs and staff members throughout the development of IPSA Online through activities including surveys, meetings, usability testing and training sessions, in order to take account of their needs and preferences. IPSA is committed to ongoing liaison with MPs and their staff to gain further feedback on the new system now that it has been launched.<\/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" : "2019-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-07T13:23:15.387Z", "_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" : "2019-04-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Members: Allowances"} , "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, what involvement did the Speaker's committee had in the formulation of the new claims system for hon. Members' allowances.", "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" : "249206"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1083652", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1083652/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Independent Parliamentary Standard Authority (IPSA) was established to ensure MPs have the funding and support they need to conduct their parliamentary duties effectively. IPSA is also responsible for setting the level of the MPs\u2019 Staffing Budget and for periodically consulting on all aspects of its expenses scheme, including on Members\u2019 staff expenditure. At these times, Members and others are invited to respond to IPSA\u2019s consultations and to suggest amendments to its scheme.<\/p>
It is for individual MPs themselves to decide how their own staffing arrangements best support their work and how they respond to campaigning organisations such as 38 Degrees.<\/p>
In respect of oversight of IPSA\u2019s budgets, the Speaker\u2019s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is in place to approve its annual estimates of resources. In addition, the Administration Committee meets representatives from IPSA to consider its support for Members and the way it operates its scheme.<\/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" : "2019-03-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-03-14T15:04:11.587Z", "_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" : "2019-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Members: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask The Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if the Committee will undertake a survey of hon. Members on the (a) cost and (b) resources allocated by hon. Members to responding to e-mails from (i) 38 Degrees and (ii) other campaigning organisations; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3966", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ian Murray"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ian Murray"} ], "uin" : "229668"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984361", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984361/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have asked the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to reply.<\/p>
Letter from Marcial Boo, chief executive of IPSA, 10 October 2018:<\/p>
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) provides Family Leave Guidance in relation to staff employed by MPs, a copy of which can be found on our website at: http://www.theipsa.org.uk/ipsa-for-mps/guidance<\/a>.<\/p> This document provides guidance on maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave, KIT/SPLIT days and caring leave. This is not a policy, but guidance to MPs on the statutory entitlements. As the legal employers of their staff, MPs are responsible for matters of individual staffing arrangements, such as approving instances of family leave and ensuring that they comply with relevant employment legislation.<\/p> As the document is guidance rather than a policy, and relates only to the statutory entitlements, we have not undertaken any specific assessment of its effects. However, IPSA encourages responsible employment and any necessary expenditure by MPs on the health and welfare of their staff, including their mental health. MPs can claim the cost of staff health and welfare costs, such as occupational health assessments, from their staffing budgets. We also undertake Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) in relation to major changes to our Scheme of MPs\u2019 Business Costs and Expenses. We last undertook an EIA in March 2017 which concluded that changes proposed to our Scheme were likely to have a small positive impact on MPs\u2019 staff in relation to pregnancy and maternity. A copy of that report can be found on our website at: http://www.theipsa.org.uk/publications/consultations/review-of-the-mps-scheme-of-business-costs-and-expenses<\/a>.<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what assessment has been made of the effect of IPSA's family leave policy on the (a) provision of adequate office arrangements for Members and (b)(i) physical and (ii) mental health of parliamentary staff returning from such leave.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/868490/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) regulates and funds MPs\u2019 business costs and expenses. As part of this role, IPSA sets a maximum budget from which MPs can fund their staffing costs. This is based on an average of four full-time-equivalent staff members, although each MP can choose to deploy this budget to suit their own staffing needs.<\/p> MPs\u2019 budgets are reviewed each year. In 2012, the staffing budget was increased by 25% for London Area MPs and by 19% for non-London Area MPs, in part to allow MPs to employ more staff to support their work with constituents. In April 2018, the staffing budget will increase by a further 1.8% to allow for staff pay rises.<\/p> In addition, MPs may request to increase their budget if they provide evidence of having incurred unforeseen, exceptional costs. Such requests for contingency funding are considered on a case-by-case basis. If any MP finds that their constituency caseload has increased to an unmanageable level as a result of preparations for the UK leaving the EU (or another exceptional issue), they may apply for an increase to their staffing budget in this way.<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if the Committee will make representations to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority on the need for additional financial provision to cover the increase in Members' constituency caseloads as a result of preparations for the UK leaving the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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