Overview

The Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 created the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and the Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations. IPSA is responsible for managing MPs' salaries and expenses, while the Commissioner investigates potential breaches of conduct rules. The Act also introduced a new code of conduct for MPs regarding financial interests.

Description

This Act established two key bodies: the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and the Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations. IPSA is tasked with setting MPs' salaries, creating and managing a scheme for MPs' allowances, and establishing a code of conduct regarding financial interests. This code requires MPs to register financial interests and prohibits certain actions taken in exchange for payment or benefits. The Commissioner independently investigates allegations of MPs misusing allowances or failing to comply with the code of conduct. Investigations can be initiated by the Commissioner, the MP themselves, or through complaints from individuals. If wrongdoing is found, the Commissioner refers their findings to the House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges. The Act also introduced a criminal offense for MPs who knowingly provide false or misleading information when claiming allowances.

Key Aspects

• Established IPSA to manage MPs' finances and conduct.
• Created an independent Commissioner for investigations.
• Introduced a new code of conduct for MPs regarding financial interests.
• Created a criminal offense for providing false information for allowance claims.

Government Spending

The Act resulted in a transfer of responsibility for MPs' salaries and expenses from Parliament to IPSA. While no specific figures are provided in the act text, the overall impact on government spending is a shift in budgetary control, with IPSA’s expenditure being met from money provided by Parliament.

Groups Affected

• MPs: Directly affected by changes to salary determination, allowance schemes, and the new code of conduct; subject to investigations and potential penalties for misconduct.
• IPSA: Responsible for significant administrative and regulatory functions, requiring substantial resources and staffing.
• Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations: Conducts independent investigations and reports to Parliament.
• House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges: Receives referrals from the Commissioner and takes appropriate action.
• Public: Indirectly affected by greater transparency in MPs' finances and accountability for potential misconduct.

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