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1: Cost of staying away from main home (ACA) = £21,078

The Additional Costs Allowance (cost of staying away from main home/ ACA) is paid to reimburse MPs for necessary costs incurred when staying overnight away from their main home for the purpose of performing parliamentary duties. Inner London MPs do not receive this allowance.

The 2007/08 ACA Maximum is £23,083

2: London Supplement = NIL

Inner London MPs receive the London Supplement instead of the ACA. Outer London MPs may choose between the ACA and the London Supplement.

The 2007/08 London Supplement = £2,812

3: Office running costs (IEP) = £18,789
&
4: Staffing costs = £88,243

These two budgets support MPs in undertaking their parliamentary and constituency work. Budget flexibilities (see below) between these allowances and between years mean that they should be considered together.

The Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) can be used to meet the cost of: accommodation for office or surgery use; equipment and supplies for office or surgery; work commissioned or other services; and certain travel and communications. The Staffing Allowance is paid to enable MPs to employ staff. Staff salaries are paid directly to staff by the House of Commons Department of Finance and Administration. The IEP can also be used to cover certain staff related costs.

MPs are permitted to transfer funds from the IEP to the Staffing Allowance. In addition, up to 10% of their Staffing Allowance can be transferred to the IEP provided they run a constituency office.

MPs are also allowed to carry forward unused funds in the IEP and Staffing Allowance from one allowance year to the next or to draw down an advance from the next year's budget. In both cases the MP's allowance limit will be increased or decreased accordingly. The carry forward/draw down facility is only permitted for specific purposes and requires prior approval by the Department of Finance and Administration.

The 2007/08 IEP maximum is £21,339

The 2007/08 Staffing Allowance maximum is £90,505

5: Centrally purchased stationery = £4,373

This is the cost of stationery items ordered from a central supplier for use in direct connection with an MP's parliamentary duties.

5a: Postage associated with the use of centrally purchased stationery = £2,625

This is the cost of postage associated with the use of stationery with pre-paid postage ordered from the central supplier for use in direct connection with an MP's parliamentary duties.

The 2007/08 Stationery maximum is £7,000

6: Centrally provided computer equipment = £1,316

This is the cost of equipment supplied on loan to each MP. The provision allows MPs two printers and a maximum of five computers, comprised of up to four desktop PCs and three laptops. The figures show the asset value spread over a four-year period.

7: Staff cover and other costs = NIL

These are costs incurred from special central budgets, including:

• a temporary secretarial allowance for additional help when MPs' staff are absent due to sickness or maternity leave
• additional security costs for the office up to a maximum entitlement of £1,500;
• exceptional needs support which provides for short term additional help to MPs whose constituencies have particular problems;
• a winding-up allowance (WUA) payable to defeated or retiring MPs after the date on which they cease to be Members of Parliament. This covers the reimbursement of the cost of any work necessary, including staff and office costs, to conclude their parliamentary business after the date on which they cease to be Members of Parliament.

The 2007/08 WUA maximum is £37,281

8: Communications Allowance = £9,201

The Communications Allowance is used to meet expenses for:

• Regular reports and constituency newsletters
• Questionnaires and surveys
• Petitions
• Targeted communications
• Contact cards
• Distribution costs including direct mailing and postage
• Websites
• Some capital purchases

The 2007/08 Communications Allowance maximum is £10,000

9: MPs' travel

MPs' travel entitlements cover the cost of travel on parliamentary business within the UK; European travel; and select committee travel to and from committee embarkation points (but not the cost of the visit itself). The figure does not include travel on parliamentary select committee or delegation business. Certain elements of the travel allowances are taxable.
Travel costs relate to journeys undertaken by MPs between Westminster/Home/Constituency on parliamentary business.

a) Mileage = £5,382

This includes car or motorbike mileage undertaken in a vehicle that is owned by an MP and associated parking costs. The figure also includes travel undertaken in a vehicle not owned by the MP. This may include car hire, taxi fares, and other travel in a vehicle belonging to a third party. Claims for these journeys are made using the following mileage rates.
2007/08 mileage rate: first 10,000 miles per year at the rate of 40p per mile, and over 10,000 at 25p per mile
Motorbike mileage rate: 24p per mile

b) Rail = £3,144

c) Air = NIL

These figures include the costs associated with travelling by rail (including tube) or air.

d) Misc /Other Travel = £11

This includes mileage undertaken by bicycle and the cost associated with travelling by bus, ferry, and the cost of season tickets.
Bicycle mileage rate: 20p per mile

e) European travel = NIL

Travel and subsistence costs for up to 3 visits per year to EU institutions, EU agencies, the national parliaments of EU member states, European Free Trade Association states, or candidate countries.

f) Travel on Select Committee and Delegation Business = NIL

g) MP spouse travel = NIL

MP's spouses, civil partners and children up to the age of 18 are each entitled to up to 30 simgle journeys each year between London and the constituency or the MP's main home. The figures relate to the total costs and numbers of journeys made.

h) MP staff travel = £1,248 (24 single journeys)

An MP's staff are entitled to share a total of up to 24 single journeys each year between London and the constituency. The figures relate to the total costs and numbers of journeys made.

Further information

The Green Book (PDF file) provides further details about parliamentary salaries, allowances and pensions. A separate booklet provides further details about the Communications Allowance. Additional information and links to information relating to House of Lords Members' allowances is available on the Members' Allowances for both Houses page. Additional information and links to information relating to House of Lords Members' allowances is available on the Members' Allowances for both Houses page.