Explanatory notes 2001/02 to 2003/04
These notes apply to the Members' Reimbursement Scheme which was in force during the 2001/02 to 2003/04 financial years. A new scheme of financial support for Members came in to effect from 1 October 2010. The new scheme makes significant changes to the financial support for Members.
Eligibility to claim
- Members of the House of Lords (except those in receipt of a salary as a Minister, Office Holder or Lord of Appeal in Ordinary), are entitled to recover travel, subsistence and office costs incurred in connection with their parliamentary duties.
- Ministers and Office Holders are able to recover Secretarial Expenses incurred in respect of their Parliamentary duties. In addition, the Chairman of Committees, the Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees, Leader of the Opposition and Opposition Chief Whip are paid personal travelling expenses from home to the House of Lords.
Attendance
Expenses payable to Members within category A above are linked to attendance at:
- sittings of the House (excluding the State Opening of Parliament and judicial business)
- meetings of committees and sub-committees of the House (except judicial business)
- meetings as a member of the Board of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
- meetings as a member of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Limited (PARBUL).
Costs incurred in respect of an attendance at any other meeting, whether held at Westminster or not, cannot be recovered unless the Member attends a meeting as defined above on the same day.
Financial Years
All figures shown relate to expenses incurred during the period April to March each year, the financial year on which the House's annual accounts are based.
However, Ministers' Secretarial Expenses and other Members' Office Costs incurred on days when the House is not sitting, are subject to an annual maximum, based on the year from August to July. This can cause an apparent discrepancy, since patterns of expenditure over the financial year may not align with those based on an August to July year. This can result in total claims over the financial year exceeding the annual maximum, for example if a Member makes a single claim for the maximum amount in April and March.
Column 1: Main Residence
This column shows the location of the Member's main residence, by county or equivalent region. Entries in this column are voluntary.
Column 2: Number of Days Attended
The number of days attended reflects the official record of those days when a Member attended a sitting of the House at which public business took place, or at a select committee of the House. Judicial business is not classified as public business. Days on which a Member has worked on parliamentary business without attending a public sitting of the House or a committee are not included in the total.
Claims for attendance-related expenses have only been met in respect of officially recorded attendances.
Column 3: Overnight Subsistence
Members who do not live within reasonable daily travelling distance of Westminster, and incur the expense of overnight accommodation in London while away from their only or main residence for the purpose of attending sittings of the House, may claim for such expenses. A Member whose main residence is outside Greater London and who maintains a residence in London for the purpose of attending sittings of the House may claim this allowance towards the cost of maintaining such a residence.
Maximum amounts payable for each day of attendance:
- August 2000 - 19 June 2001 £84.00 per day
- 20 June 2001 - July 2001 £120.00
- August 2001 - July 2002 £122.00
- August 2002 - July 2003 £124.00
- August 2003 - July 2004 £128.00
Column 4: Day Subsistence
Members may claim day subsistence and incidental travel costs not separately recoverable. This allowance is intended to cover such items as the cost of meals and incidental travel costs.
Maximum amount payable for each day of attendance:
- August 2000 - 19 June 2001 £37.00 per day
- 20 June 2001 - July 2001 £60.00
- August 2001 - July 2002 £61.00
- August 2002 - July 2003 £62.00
- August 2003 - July 2004 £64.00
Column 5: Office Costs
Members may recover certain office costs including the cost of secretarial help, research assistance and where appropriate the cost of providing necessary equipment, together with the cost of certain additional expenses (e.g. domestic costs, purchase of books, periodicals, and professional subscription charges that arise out of parliamentary duties).
Maximum amount payable for each day of attendance:
- August 2000 - 19 June 2001 £36.00 per day
- 20 June 2001 - July 2001 £50.00
- August 2001 - July 2002 £51.00
- August 2002 - July 2003 £52.00
- August 2003 - July 2004 £53.50
In addition, office costs incurred on days when the House is not sitting or a Member does not attend may be claimed up to an additional 40 days per year. Prior to 20 June 2001 the annual limit was 30 days.
Column 6: Travelling Expenses
Members may recover, subject to certain rules, the costs of fares incurred in travelling between their principal residence and Westminster for the purposes of attending a sitting of the House, or (subject to the limits set out below) the costs of travel by private car or bicycle.
Motor Mileage Allowance
- April 2001 - March 2002: Up to 20,000 miles per year at 53.7p per mile and over 20,000 at the rate of 24.8p per mile
- April 2002 - March 2003: 54.4p or 25.1p
- April 2003 - March 2004: 56.1p or 25.9p
Bicycle Allowance
- April 2001 - March 2002: 6.9p per mile
- April 2002 - March 2003: 7p
- April 2003 - March 2004: 7.2p
UK Travel
In addition to the normal travel arrangements, the cost of journeys made on parliamentary business elsewhere within the United Kingdom may also be recovered.
European Travel
From 1 April 2003 Members are able to recover the costs of two return journeys per year, travelling on parliamentary duties, between the United Kingdom and any European Union institution in Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg or the national parliament of a European Union state or a candidate country.
Column 7: Free Postage Costs
Prepaid envelopes and postcards are available for use by Members for correspondence on House of Lords' business. The costs shown include the postage and envelope costs.
Column 8: Minister's Secretarial Expenses
Ministers and other paid Office Holders in the House of Lords are able to recover expenses for secretarial assistance certified as incurred by them in the performance of their Parliamentary duties.
Maximum amount payable:
- August 2000 - July 2001 £4,460 per year
- August 2001 - July 2002 £4,531
- August 2002 - July 2003 £4,599
- August 2003 - July 2004 £4,742
Column 9: IT Equipment
Members are entitled to the loan of up to two PCs, one desktop, one laptop and a printer for use on Parliamentary business. IT equipment is replaced every three years. The costs of a broadband installation and line rental are also paid by the House.
Further information
House of Commons Members' Allowances and further related information is available on the main Members' Allowances for both Houses page.