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House of Commons Members’ Fund

– in the House of Commons at 9:07 pm on 29 April 2024.

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Motion made, and Question proposed,

That the sum to be deducted from the salaries of Members of the House of Commons in pursuance of section 4(1) and (2) of the House of Commons Members’ Fund Act 2016 shall for the financial year 2024-25 be £2.20 per month.—(Penny Mordaunt.)

Photo of Charles Walker Charles Walker Chair, Administration Committee, Chair, Administration Committee 9:16, 29 April 2024

Madam Deputy Speaker, may I briefly speak as a member of the Members’ Fund? Would that be in order?

Photo of Eleanor Laing Eleanor Laing Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means, Chair, Standing Orders Committee (Commons), Chair, Standing Orders Committee (Commons), Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission

That is perfectly in order.

Photo of Charles Walker Charles Walker Chair, Administration Committee, Chair, Administration Committee

Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker.

As we can all see from the Order Paper, the increase is very moderate. The sum deducted from our salaries on a monthly basis goes towards the Members’ Fund, which is distributed on occasions to former Members and their dependants who are in straitened times. It is a hugely important fund and is staffed by amazing officers of the House, who also staff the parliamentary contributory pension fund. We are very grateful for their support and for the support of trustees.

The only thing I would say—I hope I do not put myself in contest with other trustees—is that the sum taken from our monthly salary is still very small. At some stage in the very near future, it should be incumbent on this House to look at a more generous monthly contribution from Members. A figure of perhaps £10 would not be too onerous on Members, but it would certainly help the Members’ Fund to support many former colleagues of all parties who, through illness or just bad luck, find themselves struggling once they are no longer in this place.

Photo of Eleanor Laing Eleanor Laing Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means, Chair, Standing Orders Committee (Commons), Chair, Standing Orders Committee (Commons), Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission, Chair, Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission

The hon. Gentleman has spoken for the whole House.

Question agreed to.