Latest news with #Ipsa
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Disabled Labour MP is facing travel spend probe by Commons expenses watchdog over taxi use
A disabled Labour MP is facing an inquiry by the Commons expenses watchdog over her use of taxis. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) announced on Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into whether Kate Osborne breached spending rules. It said the inquiry related to spending on travel and subsistence costs, as well as 'miscellaneous costs and financial assistance'. Ms Osborne, who represents Jarrow and Gateshead East, said the investigation was focused on her use of taxis following an operation on her spine in February, something she says had been recommended by Parliament's own health service. She said: 'Whilst this operation was a success it has not helped my disability, it has highlighted other issues and I am afraid has left me still in a lot of pain which the consultant has said will be for the rest of my life.' The MP added that she had met Ipsa's compliance officer, Matt Walker, last week. Ms Osborne said the additional taxi use had been recommended for her and approved following medical reports and an assessment from the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service as part of the reasonable adjustments for her disability. It is understood that the wellbeing service had recommended adjustments to how Ms Osborne worked in 2023, including taking taxis while commuting or carrying luggage. Following her operation, it was suggested that she required even more support. Ms Osborne insisted she would 'fully comply' with Ipsa's investigation and was 'confident' it would show she had 'acted within rules and followed the advice I was given'. She added: 'I want to thank the compliance officer for the time he spent discussing the issue. 'I want my constituents to know that my priority is, has been and always will be to fight for you, and do my best to represent you in Parliament and in the constituency.' In its announcement of the investigation, Ipsa said: 'No further information will be published until the investigation has concluded.' Ms Osborne, 59, has been an MP since 2019 and was re-elected last year with a majority of 8,964. She is the second Labour MP to be investigated by Ipsa this year, after the watchdog opened an inquiry into spending by Tahir Ali in May. Mr Ali, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, faces an investigation into spending on 'office costs, travel and accommodation'.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Jarrow and Gateshead East MP investigated by standards watchdog
A Labour MP is under investigation for allegedly breaching Parliament's expenses Osborne, the Jarrow and Gateshead East MP, is being investigated by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) for her spending on travel and subsistence costs, as well as "miscellaneous costs and financial assistance".Osborne, who is disabled, said the inquiry was centred on her use of taxis following an operation to her spine in said using taxis for commuting or carrying luggage had been recommended by Parliament's health service in 2023, with increased support after the medical procedure. Osborne said: "Whilst this operation was a success it has not helped my disability, it has highlighted other issues and I am afraid has left me still in a lot of pain which the consultant has said will be for the rest of my life."She is the second Labour MP to be investigated by Ipsa this year, after the watchdog opened an inquiry into spending by Tahir Ali in the MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, faces an investigation into spending on "office costs, travel and accommodation". 'Acted within rules' Osborne, who has been an MP for six years, said she had met Ipsa's compliance officer last week to discuss her use of also said she would "fully comply" with the investigation and was "confident" it would show she had "acted within rules and followed the advice" she had been given."I want my constituents to know that my priority is, has been and always will be to fight for you, and do my best to represent you in Parliament and in the constituency."In its announcement of the investigation, Ipsa said: "No further information will be published until the investigation has concluded." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
MP says taxi use recommended by Parliament as expenses watchdog launches inquiry
A disabled Labour MP facing an inquiry by the Commons expenses watchdog has defended her use of taxis, saying it had been recommended by Parliament's own health service. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) announced on Tuesday it had opened an investigation into whether Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne had breached spending rules. It said the investigation related to spending on travel and subsistence costs, and 'miscellaneous costs and financial assistance', while Ms Osborne herself said it was focused on her use of taxis following an operation on her spine in February. She said: 'Whilst this operation was a success it has not helped my disability, it has highlighted other issues and I am afraid has left me still in a lot of pain which the consultant has said will be for the rest of my life.' The MP added that she had met Ipsa's compliance officer Matt Walker last week. She said: 'The discussion centred around the additional taxi use that had been recommended for me and approved following the medical reports and the independent assessment from the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service as part of the reasonable adjustments for my disability.' It is understood that the wellbeing service had recommended adjustments to how Ms Osborne worked in 2023, including taking taxis while commuting or carrying luggage. Following her operation, it suggested she required even more support. Ms Osborne insisted she would 'fully comply' with Ipsa's investigation and was 'confident' it would show she had 'acted within rules and followed the advice I was given'. She added: 'I want to thank the compliance officer for the time he spent discussing the issue. 'I want my constituents to know that my priority is, has been and always will be to fight for you, and do my best to represent you in Parliament and in the constituency.' In its announcement of the investigation, Ipsa said: 'No further information will be published until the investigation has concluded.' Ms Osborne, 59, has been an MP since 2019 and was re-elected last year with a majority of 8,964. She is the second Labour MP to be investigated by Ipsa this year, after the watchdog opened an inquiry into spending by Tahir Ali in May. Mr Ali, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, faces an investigation into spending on 'office costs, travel and accommodation'.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Labour MP Kate Osborne faces inquiry by Commons expenses watchdog
Parliament's expenses watchdog has opened an investigation into Labour MP Kate Osborne. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) said it had opened an investigation into whether the Jarrow and Gateshead East MP had breached spending rules. Announcing the investigation on Tuesday, Ipsa said the investigation related to spending on travel and subsistence costs and 'miscellaneous costs and financial assistance'. It added: 'No further information will be published until the investigation has concluded.' Ms Osborne, 59, has been an MP since 2019 and was re-elected last year with a majority of 8,964. She is the second Labour MP to be investigated by Ipsa this year, after the watchdog opened an inquiry into spending by Tahir Ali in May. Mr Ali, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, faces an investigation into spending on 'office costs, travel and accommodation'. Ms Osborne has been contacted for comment.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour MP under investigation over travel spending
Parliament's expenses watchdog has opened an investigation into the Labour MP Kate Osborne. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority said it had opened an investigation into whether Ms Osborne, the Jarrow and Gateshead East MP, had breached spending rules. Announcing the investigation on Tuesday, Ipsa said the investigation related to spending on travel and subsistence costs and 'miscellaneous costs and financial assistance'. It added: 'No further information will be published until the investigation has concluded.' Ms Osborne, 59, has been an MP since 2019 and was re-elected last year with a majority of 8,964. She is the second Labour MP to be investigated by Ipsa this year, after the watchdog opened an inquiry into spending by Tahir Ali in May. Mr Ali, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, faces an investigation into spending on 'office costs, travel and accommodation'.
