Explanatory notes 2004/05

This page gives explanatory information, listed by column, for the Members' allowances and expenses April 2004/March 2005 tables available on the Allowances and expenses claims page. Please read the explanatory notes below before viewing the expenses tables.

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 meeting at Westminster. 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 at Westminster are not included in the total. Nor are days on which a Member has travelled on parliamentary business or as a Member of a parliamentary delegation or a select committee.

Claims for attendance-related expenses have only been met in respect of officially recorded attendances.

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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 2003 - July 2004 £128.00
• August 2004 - 9 November 2004 £132.00
• 10 November 2004 - July 2005 £150.00

A new Maintenance Allowance for a Second Home was introduced on 10 November 2004. Members are able to claim expenses under this heading whilst away from London, on Select Committee, Parliamentary Delegation or certain other official visits, if they maintain a second residence in London for the purpose of attending sittings of the House. Expenses claimed under this heading are included in the Overnight Subsistence column.
 
Maximum amounts payable for each day away from London:

• 10 November 2004 – July 2005 £100.00

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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.
 
Maximum amount payable for each day of attendance:

• August 2003 - July 2004 £64.00
• August 2004 – 9 November 2004 £66.00
• 10 November 2004 – July 2005 £75.00

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 2003 – July 2004 £53.50
• August 2004 – 9 November £55.00
• 10 November 2004 – July 2005 £65.00

In addition:

1. 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.
2. Members are able to claim expenses under this heading for ongoing costs whilst away from the House on Select Committee, Parliamentary Delegation or certain other official visits. Expenses claimed are included in the Office Costs column.

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Column 6: Travelling Expenses

Members may recover 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, motorcycle or bicycle.

Motor Mileage Allowance

• April 2004 – 9 November 2004: 57.6p (up to 20,000 miles) or 26.6p (all mileage if total exceeds 20,000 miles) per mile
• 10 November 2004  to date 40p (up to 10,000 miles) or 25p (above 10,000 miles)

Motorcycle Allowance

• 10 November 2004 to date: 24p per mile

Bicycle Allowance

• April 2004 to 9 November 2004: 7.4p per mile
• 10 November 2004 to date: 20p per mile

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

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.

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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 Secretarial Expenses

Ministers and other paid Office Holders are able to recover expenses for secretarial assistance certified as incurred by them in the performance of their Parliamentary duties.

Maximum amount payable:

• August 2003 – July 2004 £4,742pa
• August 2004 – July 2005 £4,884pa

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

Links to House of Commons Members' Allowances and further related information available on the main Members' Allowances for both Houses page.

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