Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee written question – answered at on 6 September 2011.
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority uses any measure to assess the effect of its schemes on public confidence in Parliament; and whether any such measurements have been made.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated
As Acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority uses any measure to assess the effect of its schemes on public confidence in Parliament; and whether any such measurements have been made.
IPSA's approach to public confidence is set out in its answer to PQ 62624 (Schemes) on
Through the MPs' Expenses Scheme, IPSA has put in place a set of rules, underpinned by the principle of independent regulation, which we believe will contribute to the restoration of public confidence in the manner in which MPs' expenses and costs are reimbursed.
We undertook a poll of the public as part of the annual review of the MPs' Expenses Scheme in November 2010 and a majority of respondents believed that IPSA would ensure that MPs were only paid legitimate expenses. We will carry out further surveys as part of our regular review of the expenses scheme.
A recent survey commissioned by the National Audit Office found that 55% of the general public felt that the situation with regard to MPs' expenses had improved in the last year.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
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