Allowances - Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do Assembly Members need allowances?
- Who are the Party Leaders?
- Who determines the rate of Allowances?
- Who determines what is a legitimate claim?
- Which financial years am I able to search?
- What are the 2008/2009 limits of the Allowances?
- Why can’t I see full details of each claim?
- What is the difference between Regular and Non Regular Journeys?
- What do Meals/Subsistence expenses mean?
- Why are some claims for nominal sums only?
- Why does an Assembly Member appear to have spent in excess of their Allowance Entitlement (Virements)?
- Are the Members allowed to ‘flip’ their homes?
- Are the Members’ Allowances subject to tax?
- How are the figures audited?
- Who should I contact for further information?
Why do Assembly Members need allowances?
Assembly Members receive a salary to pay them for their role as democratically elected representatives. The Assembly gives them access to resources to employ staff and run offices in their constituencies, so that they can deal with issues and cases raised by the people they represent. As most Members represent areas which are some distance from Cardiff, the Assembly also pays the expenses of a second home in the Cardiff area.
Who are the Party Leaders?
The National Assembly for Wales currently comprises of four main political parties. They are:
The Welsh Conservative Party – the party leader is Nick Bourne AM
The Welsh Labour Party – the party leader and First Minister is Carwyn Jones AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrats – the party leader Kirsty Williams AM who took over from Mike German AM OBE on the 8 Dec 2008
Plaid Cymru – the party leader is Ieuan Wyn Jones AM
Who determines the rate of Allowances?
All expenses are subject to a set of rules in a document called ‘The Determination’ which sets out the salaries and allowances payable to Assembly Members. The Determination is updated on an annual basis.
Who determines what is a legitimate claim?
Any decision of entitlement of an allowance ultimately rests with the Chief Executive and Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales. On a daily basis the Members’ Business Support Team (commonly referred to as the ‘Fees Office’) processes all claims.
All claims should be presented with adequate receipts and should be wholly necessary to allow the Assembly Member to fulfil their Assembly duties.
Which financial years am I able to search?
At present the Allowance Publication System only includes data for 2008/2009. However, we will be publishing expenses for the current financial year in the Autumn Term. We will be publishing all expenses three months in arrears (e.g. claims in May would be published in August etc).
This information is not archived on the Allowance Publication System so will not appear in any searches on the database.
What are the 2008/2009 limits of the Allowances?
Office Cost Allowance: £15,000
Members are entitled to claim an allowance to cover the costs of furnishing and maintaining an office to assist them in their work as an Assembly MemberAdditional Cost Allowance: Lower Rate £4,100 – Upper Rate £13,000
Members can claim an additional allowance for expenses occurred whilst staying overnight, away from their main home for the purpose of performing their duties as an Assembly Member. There are two different levels of Additional Cost Allowance depending on the location of a Members home. Those residing within the Cardiff, Newport, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Vale of Glamorgan constituencies are subject to the lower rate whilst all others are subject to the higher rate.Travel Cost Allowance:
Members are able to claim for travel expenses occurred whilst on Assembly business. Members are expected to travel by the most cost effective means, taking into account the actual cost of travel and the cost of any overnight stay.
The Mileage rates payable when a Member’s own transport is used are:
Mileage Rates:
Motor Mileage:40p per mile up to 10,000 miles then
25p per mile
Motor Cycle:24p per mile
Bicycle:20p per mile
Assembly Members may also claim a staffing allowance. However, as this information contains salary details for Assembly Member staff we are unable to publish details per staff member due to Data Protection rules.
Why can’t I see full details of each claim?
Where disclosure of details of a claim would involve disclosure of sensitive personal data or pose a potential security risk (e.g. information relating to home address, regular journey details or a medical condition) reference to the particulars have been omitted from the disclosure.
This is required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as amended by the Freedom of Information (Parliament and National Assembly for Wales) Order 2008.
What is the difference between Regular and Non Regular Journeys?
A Journey will be treated as regular if it is made from and to the same destination, on a number of occasions within a financial year. Often, this will be repeat journeys from the Assembly in Cardiff to the Member’s home constituencies or Assembly Business elsewhere (e.g. journeys within the Member’s constituency).
A journey will not be regular if it fails to fall within the above description, in which case, details of the journey will be disclosed.
What do Meals/Subsistence expenses mean?
As outlined in the Determination, Members may claim a flat rate of £30.65 for expenses necessarily incurred in any overnight stay away from their main home for the purpose of performing their duties as Assembly Members. This is referred to as Meals/Subsistence on the Expenditure Descriptions.
Why are some claims for nominal sums only?
Further to their set Allowances, the Assembly Members also have access to the National Assembly for Wales In House Services. This includes services such as Translation between the Welsh and English languages, Copy Unit and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Service Area.
Provisions are in place to cover basic costs incurred by the Member within each service area. For example, Members can claim £400 for in house translation, as well as the facility to use the National Assembly for Wales Copy Room’s printing facilities providing the materials comply with Assembly guidelines. This is paid through Central Costs or the Assembly Member’s Office Costs depending on the item produced.
Assembly Members are provided with the first £50 of their monthly Blackberry charges. However, any additional sum over £50 is automatically charged to the Member. When this happens only the amount over £50.00 will appear as a claim. e.g. If an Assembly Member is charged £50.16 for use of his Blackberry in Jan 09, the National Assembly for Wales ICT Service would automatically cover the initial £50 cost. Therefore the Assembly Member would be automatically charged the additional 0.16p.
Why does an Assembly Member appear to have spent in excess of their Allowance Entitlement (Virements)?
In certain instances, it is possible for Assembly Members to transfer money from one budget to another – this is called a ‘virement’.
Are the Members allowed to ‘flip’ their homes?
No – whilst Members are allowed to claim for the cost of having to run a second home, this must be within five miles of the Assembly. Members cannot “flip” the second home designation between their Cardiff home and their constituency home.
Are the Members allowances subject to tax?
Please note that different elements of Members’ Allowances are subject to different taxation provisions. Members are responsible for ensuring any taxable benefit they receive is declared.
How are the figures audited?
The figures are subject to an annual review by the Wales Audit Office. This is to ensure that process, practices and procedures are accurate. Internal reconciliations also take place on a monthly basis to ensure data and financial integrity.
Who should I contact for further information?
If you are a member of the public with a question about the Allowance System please contact fees.office@wales.gsi.gov.uk
If you are a member of the Press please contact our Press Office (further details available on the Assemblywales.org website)
If you would like further information on any of the expenses published you will need to complete a Freedom of Information request. Please click here for further information.
