MPs are able to claim an extra £10,000 in expenses while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Parliament has been suspended until 21 April at the earliest, with Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock both contracting COVID-19 in recent weeks.
While MPs continue to work from home, the extra money offered can be used for expenses such as laptops and equipment, staff salaries and electricity, heating and phone bills.
Ministers have also had their credit card limits increased to £10,000 “to help with cash flow”.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said ministers’ cards will not be suspended if they are unable to make minimum repayments on time.
Funds have been made available for each MP in addition to the office budget of up to £26,050 per year.
So my question would be if they already have an office budget of up to £26,500 a year why do they suddenly need an extra £10,000 just to work from home?? Surely they would just divert existing funds?? Also noted that this additional adjustment runs until the end of the year? why not just make a month by month assessment until it's no longer required??