Act

Parliamentary Standards Act 2026

2026 c. 8

Parliamentary Standards Act 2026
2026 CHAPTER 8
An Act to make provision for the establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and a Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; to make provision about the payment of salaries and allowances to members of the House of Commons and the regulation of claims; to establish a Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; to make provision for investigations, enforcement and parliamentary standards; and for connected purposes.
Be it enacted by the Lord Lieutenant, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
(1) There is to be a body corporate called the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (“IPSA”).
(2) IPSA is independent of Ministers of the Crown in the exercise of its functions.
(3) Schedule 1 makes provision about the membership, staffing, proceedings, resources and accountability of IPSA.
(4) IPSA must exercise its functions in a manner which is consistent with—
(a) the principle that members of the House of Commons should be supported in carrying out their parliamentary functions;
(b) the need to ensure value for money and proper stewardship of public resources;
(c) the need for transparency and public confidence in parliamentary standards; and
(d) the privileges of the House of Commons.
2. Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
(1) There is to be an officer known as the Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (“the Compliance Officer”).
(2) The Compliance Officer is independent in the exercise of investigatory functions under this Act.
(3) Schedule 2 makes provision about the appointment, tenure, staffing and resources of the Compliance Officer.
(4) The Compliance Officer has the functions conferred by sections 9 to 11 and any other provision of this Act.
3. Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
(1) There is to be a committee of the House of Commons known as the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (“the Speaker’s Committee”).
(2) The Speaker’s Committee is to exercise the functions conferred on it by this Act.
(3) Schedule 3 makes provision about the membership and proceedings of the Speaker’s Committee.
(4) The Speaker’s Committee must not direct IPSA or the Compliance Officer in relation to an individual claim, investigation, enforcement decision or determination.
4. MPs’ salaries
(1) IPSA is responsible for determining the salaries payable to members of the House of Commons in respect of their parliamentary service.
(2) A determination under subsection (1)—
(a) must specify the amount or method of calculation of the salary;
(b) may make different provision for different descriptions of member where a difference is justified by parliamentary office or responsibility;
(c) must be published; and
(d) may specify the date from which it has effect.
(3) Before making or materially revising a determination, IPSA must consult—
(a) the Speaker of the House of Commons;
(b) the Leader of the House of Commons;
(c) the Treasury; and
(d) such other persons as IPSA considers appropriate.
(4) A salary determined under this section is payable from money provided by Parliament and is subject to any lawful appropriation or public-finance requirement.
(5) Nothing in this section authorises the payment of a ministerial salary or any other remuneration payable by virtue of a Ministerial office.
5. MPs’ allowances scheme
(1) IPSA must prepare and keep under review a scheme providing for the payment of allowances to members of the House of Commons in connection with the performance of their parliamentary functions (“the MPs’ allowances scheme”).
(2) The scheme may provide for—
(a) staffing expenditure;
(b) office and administrative expenditure;
(c) travel and subsistence reasonably required for parliamentary functions;
(d) accommodation where justified by parliamentary duties;
(e) accessibility and reasonable-adjustment expenditure;
(f) security expenditure; and
(g) such other categories of expenditure as IPSA considers necessary for the proper performance of parliamentary functions.
(3) The scheme must specify—
(a) the categories of claim which may be made;
(b) applicable limits or conditions;
(c) evidence requirements;
(d) circumstances in which prior approval is required;
(e) arrangements for publication; and
(f) procedures for review of decisions.
(4) IPSA must consult the persons mentioned in section 4(3) before making or materially revising the scheme.
(5) IPSA must publish the scheme and any material revision of it.
6. Allowance claims
(1) A member of the House of Commons may make a claim under the MPs’ allowances scheme in the manner determined by IPSA.
(2) IPSA must determine whether a claim is payable in accordance with the scheme.
(3) IPSA may require such evidence as it reasonably considers necessary to determine a claim.
(4) Where IPSA disallows all or part of a claim, it must notify the member of—
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons for the decision; and
(c) the procedure for seeking review.
(5) A member may request the Compliance Officer to review a determination by IPSA to refuse a claim, in whole or in part, in accordance with procedures made under this Act.
(6) IPSA must publish information about claims and payments in accordance with the MPs’ allowances scheme, subject to lawful restrictions relating to security, safeguarding, personal information or another protected interest.
7. MPs’ code relating to financial interests and allowances
(1) IPSA must prepare a code setting out principles and requirements relating to claims, use of parliamentary resources and financial interests so far as those matters fall within IPSA’s statutory functions.
(2) The code must not purport to replace the House of Commons Code of Conduct or the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
(3) Before preparing or revising the code, IPSA must consult—
(a) the Committee on Standards or any successor committee of the House of Commons;
(b) the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards;
(c) the Speaker’s Committee; and
(d) such other persons as IPSA considers appropriate.
(4) IPSA must publish the code.
8. Duty to provide information to IPSA
(1) A member of the House of Commons must provide IPSA with information reasonably required for the administration of salaries, allowances and claims under this Act.
(2) IPSA may require a relevant public authority or House authority to provide information reasonably necessary for the discharge of IPSA’s functions, subject to parliamentary privilege and any statutory restriction on disclosure.
(3) Information obtained under this section may be used only for the lawful discharge of functions under this Act or another enactment.
9. Investigations
(1) The Compliance Officer may conduct an investigation where there is reason to believe that a member of the House of Commons may have been paid an amount under the MPs’ allowances scheme which should not have been paid.
(2) An investigation may be initiated—
(a) on a complaint;
(b) following information provided by IPSA;
(c) on the Compliance Officer’s own initiative; or
(d) in such other circumstances as may be prescribed by procedures published by the Compliance Officer.
(3) For the purposes of an investigation, the Compliance Officer may require—
(a) the member concerned;
(b) IPSA; or
(c) another person holding relevant information on behalf of the member or IPSA,
to provide information or documents reasonably required for the investigation.
(4) A requirement under subsection (3) does not override parliamentary privilege, legal professional privilege or another statutory restriction on compulsory disclosure.
(5) The Compliance Officer must give the member a reasonable opportunity to respond to any allegation and to material findings before making a final determination.
(6) Following an investigation the Compliance Officer may determine—
(a) that no improper payment was made;
(b) that an amount was paid which should not have been paid; or
(c) that another breach within the Compliance Officer’s statutory jurisdiction occurred.
(7) Where the Compliance Officer determines that an amount should not have been paid, the Compliance Officer may require repayment in accordance with this Act and any enforcement provision made under it.
(8) The Compliance Officer must notify the member and IPSA of the determination and reasons.
10. Reports and cooperation
(1) The Compliance Officer must prepare an annual report on the exercise of functions under this Act.
(2) The report must be sent to IPSA and the Speaker’s Committee and laid before the House of Commons.
(3) The Compliance Officer may prepare a report on a particular matter arising from an investigation where publication is in the public interest.
(4) IPSA and the Compliance Officer may share information with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, the Director of Public Prosecutions or another competent authority where disclosure is lawful and relevant to that authority’s functions.
(5) Nothing in subsection (4) requires disclosure contrary to parliamentary privilege or another enactment.
11. Further functions of IPSA and Compliance Officer
(1) IPSA and the Compliance Officer may provide advice, guidance and assistance concerning the operation of this Act.
(2) IPSA may promote understanding of the MPs’ allowances scheme and the proper use of parliamentary resources.
(3) The Compliance Officer may promote compliance with requirements falling within the Compliance Officer’s investigatory jurisdiction.
(4) This section does not confer a power to regulate matters which belong exclusively to either House of Parliament or to another statutory authority.
12. Accounts and audit
(1) IPSA must keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to those accounts.
(2) IPSA must prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year in accordance with directions given by the Treasury.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor General must examine, certify and report on the statement of accounts.
(4) The certified statement and report must be laid before the House of Commons.
13. Annual report of IPSA
(1) IPSA must prepare an annual report on the performance of its functions.
(2) The report must include information about—
(a) salaries and allowances administered under this Act;
(b) the operation of the MPs’ allowances scheme;
(c) expenditure by IPSA;
(d) significant changes to its policies or procedures; and
(e) such other matters as IPSA considers appropriate.
(3) The report must be sent to the Speaker’s Committee and laid before the House of Commons.
14. Review of operation
(1) The Speaker’s Committee must keep under review the operation of IPSA as a public authority while respecting IPSA’s independence in individual cases and statutory determinations.
(2) The Committee may require IPSA to provide information reasonably required for that review, subject to restrictions relating to individual investigations, legal privilege, security, safeguarding, personal information and parliamentary privilege.
(3) The Committee may report to the House of Commons on the operation of IPSA.
15. Expiry and review of initial arrangements
(1) The Secretary of State must, not later than two years after the coming into force of this section, review the operation of this Act and lay a report before Parliament.
(2) The report must consider whether the initial arrangements for the Compliance Officer, IPSA and the Speaker’s Committee remain appropriate.
(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make transitional or consequential provision arising from the review, but may not abolish IPSA, the Compliance Officer or the Speaker’s Committee without express authority in an Act of Parliament.
(4) Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument and are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
16. Offences and criminal proceedings
(1) Nothing in this Act makes a breach of an IPSA rule, allowance condition or administrative requirement a criminal offence unless an enactment expressly provides otherwise.
(2) Evidence obtained under this Act may be disclosed to a prosecuting authority where disclosure is lawful and the Compliance Officer considers that the evidence may relate to a criminal offence.
(3) The decision whether to commence criminal proceedings rests with the competent prosecuting authority and not with IPSA or the Compliance Officer.
17. Parliamentary privilege
(1) Nothing in this Act affects Article 9 of the Bill of Rights or any corresponding privilege of Parliament recognised by the constitutional law of the United Hampshire Realm.
(2) Functions under this Act must be exercised with due regard to the exclusive cognisance and privileges of the House of Commons.
(3) This section does not prevent the administration of salaries, allowances or repayment requirements where those matters fall within statutory jurisdiction.
18. Interpretation
In this Act—
“Compliance Officer” means the Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority established by section 2;
“House authority” means an office-holder or administrative authority of the House of Commons;
“IPSA” means the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority established by section 1;
“member” means a member of the House of Commons;
“MPs’ allowances scheme” means the scheme under section 5;
“Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards” means the officer of the House of Commons holding that office;
“Speaker’s Committee” means the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority established by section 3.
19. Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to the United Hampshire Realm.
(2) Sections 1 to 3, 12 to 14, 17, 18 and this section come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) Sections 4 to 11, 15 and 16 come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.
(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may appoint different days for different purposes and may make transitional, transitory or saving provision.
(5) Regulations under subsection (3) are to be made by statutory instrument.
(6) This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Standards Act 2026.
SCHEDULE 1
THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY
1 Membership
(1) IPSA is to consist of a chair and four other members.
(2) Members are appointed in accordance with a resolution of the House of Commons following a selection process overseen by the Speaker.
(3) The selection process must be fair and open and must have regard to the need for IPSA collectively to have experience relevant to public administration, finance, audit, law and regulation.
(4) A person is disqualified from appointment if the person is a member of the House of Commons.
2 Tenure
(1) A member holds office for the period specified on appointment, not exceeding five years.
(2) A person may be reappointed once.
(3) A member may resign by notice to the Speaker.
(4) A member may be removed only following a resolution of the House of Commons on grounds of incapacity, misconduct or failure to discharge the functions of office.
3 Staff
(1) IPSA may appoint staff.
(2) Staff are appointed on terms and conditions determined by IPSA, subject to lawful public-finance controls.
(3) IPSA must ensure that appointments are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition except where a lawful exception applies.
4 Resources
IPSA may incur expenditure reasonably necessary for the discharge of its functions, subject to money provided by Parliament and applicable public-finance controls.
5 Proceedings
IPSA may regulate its own procedure, including quorum and delegation, subject to this Act.
6 Validity
The validity of proceedings is not affected by a vacancy or a defect in appointment.
SCHEDULE 2
THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY
1 Appointment
(1) The Compliance Officer is appointed by IPSA.
(2) The person appointed must be selected by IPSA on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
2 Tenure
(1) The Compliance Officer holds office for a single fixed term not exceeding five years.
(2) The Compliance Officer may resign by giving written notice to IPSA.
(3) IPSA may remove the Compliance Officer only on grounds of incapacity, misconduct or failure to discharge the functions of office, and must publish the reasons for removal.
3 Independence
The Compliance Officer is not subject to direction by IPSA, a Minister of the Crown or the Speaker’s Committee in relation to an individual investigation or determination.
4 Staff and support
IPSA must provide the Compliance Officer with such staff, accommodation, systems and other support as are reasonably required for the discharge of the Compliance Officer’s functions, while preserving the Compliance Officer’s investigatory independence.
SCHEDULE 3
THE SPEAKER’S COMMITTEE FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY
1 Membership
The Speaker’s Committee consists of—
(a) the Speaker of the House of Commons, who is chair;
(b) the Leader of the House of Commons;
(c) the chair of the Committee on Standards or a successor committee;
(d) members of the House appointed in accordance with Standing Orders or resolution of the House; and
(e) any lay or external member whose membership is authorised by an Act of Parliament or resolution of the House.
2 Functions
The Committee performs the functions conferred on it by this Act and any other enactment and may report to the House of Commons.
3 Procedure
The Committee may regulate its own procedure subject to Standing Orders and any resolution of the House.