Website of the UK government

Proposed changes to MPs' allowances system

Check how much your local MP has claimed

• MPs expenses - Parliament Opens new window

The new Parliamentary Standards Bill makes a number of proposals for changing the way MPs expenses are regulated.

These include setting up a new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to regulate the system of allowances, to set rules to deal with financial interests and to make the MPs' code of conduct legally binding.

The IPSA will be independent of Parliament and will have the power to set an allowances and expenses system without needing the approval of Parliament.

The Bill also proposes making it a criminal offence to:

• knowingly providing false or misleading information in a claim for an allowance - the maximum penalty is up to twelve months in prison or an unlimited fine
• fail to comply with the rules on registration - the maximum penalty is a fine of up to £5,000
• breach the rules which forbid paid lobbying - the maximum penalty is a fine of up to £5,000

Further information

• MPs expenses - Parliament Opens new window