London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 11, 2025

MPs reject Christmas parties on expenses

MPs reject Christmas parties on expenses

Parliament's expenses watchdog is facing a backlash from MPs after it told them they can claim for the cost of an office Christmas party.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) announced MPs can this year claim for food, decorations and non-alcoholic drinks.

But MPs on all sides have rejected the guidance, with one calling it "bonkers" amid a cost of living crisis.

Ipsa said holding a "modest gathering" for staff was "entirely appropriate".

But a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he wouldn't be claiming for a party, and that MPs would have to "justify all spending to their constituents".

Labour MPs have been told it would "clearly be inappropriate" for them to claim for Christmas parties at a time of rising living costs.

John Cryer, chair of the parliamentary Labour Party, said he would be writing to Ipsa to ask them to reconsider their guidance.


'Tone deaf'


Labour frontbencher Jess Phillips said: "The guidance wasn't made by MPs and yet we will be pilloried for it.

"I think it's really irresponsible to issue this guidance as if MPs have been clamouring for it when I've literally never heard anyone do that."

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said none of her party's MPs would be claiming, adding "in the middle of a cost of living crisis this is tone deaf from Ipsa".

Conservative Former Brexit secretary David Davis called the rules "bonkers" and said Ipsa had "missed the mood of the age".

Many MPs use designs from schoolchildren in their constituencies on their Christmas cards


In a statement, Ipsa defended its approach, saying MPs' staff worked in a "challenging" environment and often had to deal with "distressing" casework from constituents.


'Value for money'


"As employers, it is entirely appropriate that MPs should, if they see fit, reward their staff with a modest gathering at Christmas," the statement added.

"We are clear that alcohol is not included, that any event must represent value for money, is subject to publication for transparency and must not be party political in nature. It must be funded within existing budgets."

"To suggest that there is anything inappropriate in this is simply incorrect."

The organisation added that it had produced the guidance in response to requests from MPs for clarification on its expenses policy.

The authority - which was set up in the wake of the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal - is funded by the Treasury, which in turn raises most of its funds through taxes.

In its update, the body said MPs would be able to claim for "festive office events" for staff - but "value for money should be considered and all claims will be published in the usual manner".

Ipsa added that all claims "should represent value for money, especially in the current economic climate". Claims have to be parliamentary in nature and should not be party-political.

The authority said it would also approve claims of money spent on sending cards to local residents.

But MPs were explicitly told they cannot use their expenses for a festive or new year calendar, decorations outside their constituency offices, or spend taxpayers' money on alcohol.

Any Christmas cards claimed for must not be sent to "large groups or all constituents as there is a risk this may not represent value for money and could be considered self-promotional".

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×