Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch 'deeply disappointed' with Speaker's submission to the IPSA consultation

9 February 2011

The Speaker of the House of Commons has today published to his response to the IPSA review. It is available at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2011/february/speakers-submission-to-ipsa/

Responding to the Speaker's submission, branch Secretary Louise Haigh said:

"The Unite Parliamentary Staff branch welcomes the Speaker's recognition that IPSA's decision to take employer pension contributions from staffing budgets has meant a real term cut for many MPs and staff. We've surveyed MPs' staff and have evidence that many have been made redundant, had their pay cut or reduced their pension contribution because of inadequate staffing budgets under IPSA.

"However we are disappointed with a number of other comments made by the Speaker. The suggestion that some staff should be reallocated out of Westminster to make savings in the staffing budget has more to do with the House of Common's severe Savings Programme and desire to sell off buildings then it does the very real concerns of those unfairly impacted by the IPSA scheme.

"We were also disappointed to see the Speaker propose greater human resources support for MPs, with no mention of the needs of staff. MPs already receive help with employment matters through the Personnel Advisory Service. It is staff who have no human resources support, from either the House authorities or IPSA. The only support for staff is the trade union branch, if they are members, and both the House authorities and IPSA refuse to formally recognise the branch so even we are limited in the help we can provide.

"At the moment grievances and disciplinaries are heard by the MP themselves, which is deeply unfair as in most cases it is the MP who brings the disciplinary action against the staff member or who has the grievance brought against them. This would be unheard of in most other workplaces, but in terms of employment practices Parliament is well and truly stuck in the dark ages. The review is the last opportunity for IPSA to remedy this undesirable situation and give staff of MPs the same protection as other workers, and we would hope the Speaker would support that aim."

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