The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) is the body created by Parliament to bring independent oversight and a fresh approach to the administration and regulation of MPs’ expenses.

IPSA was created in 2009 by the Parliamentary Standards Act, and the new rules governing MPs’ expenses were introduced on 7 May 2010, immediately following the General Election. The Act gave IPSA two principal roles: to administer and reimburse MPs’ expenses and pay MPs’ and their staff members salaries; and to regulate of MPs’ expenses.

Parliament subsequently passed legislation creating a Compliance Officer for IPSA and making provision for IPSA to take on responsibility for determining MPs’ pay and pensions in the future.

Our clear rules represent a clean break from the past system of allowances and are fair (both to MPs and the public purse), workable and transparent. And MPs’ expense claims are subject to rigorous  verification and post-payment audit.

We have clear processes enabling MPs’ to request reviews of our decisions, and members of the public have recourse to the Compliance Officer if they have concerns about particular expense claims.

IPSA is independent of Parliament, Government and of political parties. In everything we do we focus on our main duty, which is to serve the interests of the public.

Copies of our founding acts can be downloaded below.