Latest news with #IndependentParliamentaryStandardsAuthority
ITV News
4 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Former Reform MP James McMurdock cleared of wrongdoing in Covid business loan investigation
Former Reform MP James McMurdock has been cleared of wrongdoing in a parliamentary investigation into his business dealings during the coronavirus pandemic. The South Basildon and East Thurrock MP quit Reform in July when the Sunday Times reported McMurdock took out Covid-19 loans totalling £70,000 during the pandemic, one of which had no employees. In a post on X on Tuesday, McMurdock wrote "Witch Hunt Over" and shared a statement saying the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority had cleared him of wrongdoing. He said: "This was a malicious attack, without substance, designed to damage my reputation. It has failed." He said he would continue to serve as the MP for the region and thanked people for their support during the investigation. McMurdock was one of five Reform MPs elected in the 2024 election, but resigned from the party when these accusations were made. He is one of the two of the five Reform MPs elected a year ago, when Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, was suspended earlier this year. When the allegations emerged, McMurdock said he was"removed the party whip from himself" and said he would "continue my parliamentary career as an independent MP where I can focus 100% on the interests of my constituents".
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Members of public to be selected for ‘honest conversation' about MPs' pay
The thorny topic of MPs' pay and funding will be debated by randomly selected members of the public at a new citizens' forum, as parliament's watchdog said it was launching an 'open and honest conversation' about what democracy is worth. Invitations are being sent out by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which this year set the basic annual salary for an MP from 1 April 2025 at £93,904. It is also responsible for approving MPs' expenses, which it prefers to call business costs. The watchdog, set up in the aftermath of the MPs' expenses scandal in 2010, will send out 10,000 letters via a lottery system in the coming weeks, and about 25 people will ultimately be chosen to sit in the forum and express their views. The sessions, which will involve a modest payment for participants of about £250, will involve two full days and two evenings of online discussion about pay and funding for MPs. There is limited public polling on the subject of how MPs are paid and their business costs funded, but one opinion survey from 2021 conducted by Find Out Now found that 3% of people thought MP pay was too low and should be increased whereas 62% thought it was too high and should be reduced. About 8% said they did not know and 27% thought it was set at about the right amount. In its 2024 report on MP pay, Ipsa said there was 'a lack of understanding about how decisions on MPs' pay are made' and there were myths about MPs having their main private homes funded by taxpayers. The watchdog is aiming to have a debate about the various functions of an MP, the costs of running their operations and what is fair compensation and support for their roles. Richard Lloyd, the Ipsa chair, said: 'We want to support a diverse and representative parliament, where being an MP is not reserved for those wealthy enough to fund it themselves. 'This is why we believe MPs need to be paid fairly and to be given the appropriate level of funding to be able to run their office. We know people care about our democracy, but we also know trust in democracy remains low, while levels of abuse and intimidation towards candidates and MPs are rising. 'We want to have an honest and open conversation on what democracy is worth to you and get your views on how we should fund MPs. 'If you are one of the people who receives a letter inviting you to take part in the forum, we hope you'll consider this a great opportunity to share your views.' The project will be run in partnership with the New Citizen Project and the Sortition Foundation, with sessions held in September. Alongside this, Ipsa is also planning to engage with the public online and through interested groups to undertake what it is calling its 'most ambitious listening exercise since it was created in 2010'. It will also seek input from academics, journalists and other experts under the theme 'What's Democracy Worth'. The outcome of the citizens' forum and Ipsa's wider listening exercise will be presented to its board, which will consider them as part of its decision on how MPs' pay and funding should be set from 2026 onwards.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP watchdog asked to review expenses after Midland MP's 'pet rent' claim
Ministers are set to request a Parliamentary watchdog to scrutinise certain expenses claims following revelations that a Labour MP claimed £900 in "pet rent" from the taxpayer. Security minister Dan Jarvis has defended his colleague Taiwo Owatemi, Government whip and MP for Coventry North West, stating she adhered to the rules when she filed the expenses claim in August last year. However, Jarvis acknowledged that the "rules can't be right" and confirmed the government's intention to prompt the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) to review the regulations. READ MORE: Exact date Brits should turn heating off to save money on energy bills The claim by Owatemi arose after her landlord at her second residence in London imposed an additional fee to accommodate the MP's dog, as reported by The Times newspaper. The parliamentary authorities processed and paid the claim, which did not contravene the existing rules on MPs' expenses, as reported by City AM. Discussing the matter with LBC, Jarvis remarked: "I wouldn't do that, haven't done that. Therefore, I think it can't be right that the rules allow any Member of Parliament to do that. "That is why the government will be making representations to Ipsa, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, to ask them to look very carefully at the detail of this particular rule. "It's important to say that the MP in question, she hasn't done anything wrong in that she's followed the rules as they are at the moment, but we don't think that those rules can be right and that's why the government will flag it with Ipsa." Jarvis was questioned by LBC about the optics of a Labour MP claiming expenses for pet rent while the government is cutting benefits. He responded: "Yeah. That is why the government will raising concerns about this particular rule and we will pick that up with Ipsa." Owatemi often shares posts about her cockapoo, Bella, on social media. She also supports Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and other animal-related charities. MPs who have constituencies outside of London are allowed to claim back rent for accommodation in the capital. Ipsa informed The Times that it had agreed to fund the pet rent surcharge for Owatemi, but "gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described". "We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion," added the parliamentary watchdog.
Telegraph
24-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
MPs' £2.5k pay rise faces backlash
The parliamentary watchdog is facing a backlash after handing MPs a pay rise of more than £2,500. On Monday, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) confirmed MPs' pay will go up by £2,558, a rise of 2.8 per cent. The increase is just below the 3 per cent inflation rate and means pay will reach £93,904, up from £91,346. MPs received £79,468 a year at the start of the previous parliament in 2019. IPSA has defended the decision, saying it recognised the 'vital' role of MPs, but the raise prompted anger amid rising living costs and billions of pounds of public spending cuts. Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, told The Telegraph: 'I did respond to the IPSA to make the case that there should be no rise and that MP pay should be cut. 'I am really not comfortable with MPs getting more when so many people are struggling. Of course it will go to charitable organisations who are struggling too.' 'MPs' pay should be tied to GDP' The backlash extended across the political spectrum. John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers will be frustrated that while their own income is squeezed, MPs will face no such hardship. 'Despite overseeing a soaring tax burden and crumbling public services, Britain's politicians are once again being rewarded despite their litany of failures. ' MPs' pay should be tied to GDP per capita, so that their earnings rise only when the country prospers.' The Parliamentary Standards Act means IPSA must also conduct a wider review of MPs' salaries in the first year of a new parliament, meaning it had to act by early July at the latest. When the pay increase was first announced towards the start of February, Richard Lloyd, the chairman of IPSA, insisted it struck the right balance. Mr Lloyd said at the time: 'IPSA has been responsible for deciding MPs' pay since 2011. Since then, our aim has been to make fair decisions on pay, both for MPs and the public. 'Our pay proposal for 2025-26 reflects the experience of the wider working public sector population, and recognises both the vital role of MPs and the current economic climate.' IPSA is independent of the Government and takes into account a range of factors when it decides on how much to increase MPs' pay by. These include national statistics on pay and reward in the public sector as well as the wider economic backdrop. The watchdog admits on its website that MPs' pay is a 'contentious topic' but said it did enough research to decide on an 'appropriate' salary. 'MPs' salaries and pensions are the only remuneration MPs personally receive from us,' it said. 'Business costs – such as staffing and office costs – are provided to enable MPs to work from two locations and fully fulfil their parliamentary duties to support and represent their constituents.' Sir Peter Bottomley, the former Conservative MP for West Worthing, came under fire a few years ago when he suggested MPs should be paid the same as GPs – around £100,000.
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
MPs' pay to rise by 2.8% to £93,904 in April
MPs' salaries will rise by 2.8% to £93,904 in the next financial year, Parliament's expenses watchdog has confirmed. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said the decision was in line with wider Government pay recommendations for public sector workers. Under the Parliamentary Standards Act, IPSA is required to review MPs' salaries within the first year of a new parliament, by early July. The watchdog said it would hold a further consultation on the determination of MPs' pay for the rest of the current parliamentary term in the coming months.
