Following the election, some MPs’ offices will be impacted by boundary changes.
This may lead to changes in constituency offices, constituency accommodation, additional commuting costs, redundancy because of office relocation, and continuity of service.
Constituency office moves
If an MP is re-elected, but their constituency office falls outside the new constituency boundary, IPSA will provide a £6,000 start-up supplement to the office costs budget. This is to assist them in setting up a new office and is in line with the uplift provided to newly elected MPs.
If the constituency office still falls within the new boundary, but the MP wishes to move the office to a more suitable location following boundary changes – for example, to be more centrally located or more accessible to constituents – they can make an application for contingency funding up to a maximum of £6,000 to facilitate the move. We will ask for an explanation of the rationale, which the Contingency Panel will consider.
In all cases where an MP moves their constituency office, they must ensure value for money, and the expectation is that wherever possible they will transfer equipment, furniture, signage, and other items to the new office.
Additional commuting costs
IPSA will allow staff to claim for the additional costs for commuting that staff incur because of an office move because of a boundary change for a trial period.
This means we will allow for a claim for the amount over and above what they were paying to commute to the previous office location for three months following an office move. This could relate to additional mileage or public transport fares.
These costs will be taxed at normal rates and are subject to a formal redundancy conversation between the MP and staff member before the trial period commences.
Redundancy because of office relocation
If a redundancy arose directly from the constituency boundary changes – for example, due to office relocation – the MP can apply to move these costs to the contingency budget.
Continuity of service
If an MP's staff member moves to a role with a different MP, they do not retain continuity of service. This is because, legally, each MP is an individual employer, and staff who move from one MP to another are moving from one employer to a new one.
Where a role is made redundant, a staff member with two years’ service has a statutory (and contractual) right to a redundancy payment.
For more information, visit our guidance on Boundary changes.