Bulletin, 19 October (Annual publication, bi-monthly data publication, McCloud consultation, MP staff pension and policy specialist vacancy)

Date published: 19 October 2023

Welcome back from recess.

This week's bulletin contains information about:

  • Annual Publication

  • Bi-monthly data publication

  • McCloud consultation

  • MPs' Staff – getting to know your pension scheme

  • Policy specialist vacancy

Annual Publication

In our upcoming annual publication, we plan to publish figures for business costs incurred by MPs for their parliamentary duties in the 2022-23 financial year.

We will send MPs a reminder email about their annual data from this address: ipsa_online@theipsa.org.uk.

We strongly advise that you check your data and contact us as soon as possible if you think anything has been missed and to provide any comments.

For more information, visit MPs’ staffing and business costs.

Bi-monthly data publication

We are publishing details of MPs’ business costs for June 2023 and July 2023 on Thursday 16 November as part of our routine bi-monthly publication of data.

You can access the latest batch of your business costs now using the Publication preview service.

We strongly advise that you check your data before it is published.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you think anything has been missed.

McCloud consultation

IPSA has launched a consultation about changes to the MPs' pension scheme in response to the McCloud judgment and proposes a redress payment process. 

This proposal provides a similar outcome for members’ tax treatment as for members of other public sector pension schemes affected by the McCloud judgment and would be administered by the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund, not IPSA.

We are aware of uncertainty and concerns about the McCloud changes. Although the trustees already have wide discretion to ensure that any unintended consequences caused by the McCloud changes can be fairly addressed, for the avoidance of doubt the consultation proposes making clearer the full extent of the Fund trustees' discretion in the administration of MPs' pensions.

While IPSA has a statutory duty to set the legal framework for the pension scheme, in consultation with the Fund trustees and others, the trustees are responsible for administering the scheme, communicating effectively with Members, and managing Buck, the pension scheme administrator. 

Please contact the Fund directly if you have concerns or queries about your pension, or use this guide.

To submit a response to the consultation use our online survey.

You can also email consultation@theipsa.org.uk if you prefer.

Please send us your response by Friday 17 November 2023.

Read the full consultation on our website.

MPs' Staff – getting to know your pension scheme

The MPs' staff pension scheme provider, Legal & General, is running a webinar on Tuesday 21 November at 10:00am to help you manage your future savings.

Sign up to attend the session on Eventbrite.

Alternatively, you can watch this seven-minute video.

Pension reminders:

Policy specialist vacancy

We are looking for a Policy Specialist to play a critical role in shaping, creating, and advising on Policy in relation to the Scheme of MP’s Staffing and Business Costs and other associated processes.

The role will support senior decision makers by researching, analysing, and drafting policy, adjudicating on disputed claims, and determining requests for additional financial assistance.

This role is part of the Policy and Publications team that provides advice to senior leadership and the Board on IPSA policy issues, and who is responsible for ensuring the Scheme of MPs’ Staffing and Business Costs remains up to date, fit for purpose, and aligned to IPSA’s strategic objectives.

For more information, visit the careers section on our website.