22 NOVEMBER 2022 | NEWS
Parliament’s standards watchdog has said MPs can claim for food, decorations and non-alcoholic drinks as it announces the cost of an office Christmas party can be claimed on expenses.
IPSA (the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) said that holding a “modest gathering” for staff was “entirely appropriate”.
But despite criticism from MPs, the authority defended its decision by saying MPs’ staff worked in a “challenging” environment and often had to deal with “distressing” casework from constituents.
The statement added: “As employers, it is entirely appropriate that MPs should, if they see fit, reward their staff with a modest gathering at Christmas.
“We are clear that alcohol is not included, that any event must represent value for money, is subject to publication for transparency and must not be party-political in nature. It must be funded within existing budgets.
“To suggest that there is anything inappropriate in this is simply incorrect.”
However, Conservative MP David Davis, a former Brexit Secretary, blasted the guidance as “bonkers”, saying that it “missed the mood of the age”.
And ERG heavyweight and Northern Ireland Minister, Steve Baker, tweeted: “I wouldn’t think for a moment of claiming for a staff Christmas party. What new hell is this?”
A senior Labour MP, Jess Phillips, also tweeted: “Just want to say no-one asked for this, no-one I know will use it.
“The guidance wasn’t made by MPs and yet we will be pilloried for it. I think it’s really irresponsible to issue this guidance as if MPs have been clamouring for it, when I’ve literally never heard anyone do that.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “Questions on these sorts of arrangements are a matter for IPSA – they’re independent of both Parliament and Government, they set the allowances.
“But the Prime Minister certainly doesn’t intend to use this, and his view is that MPs will want to justify all spending to their constituents.”
