Five top tips for submitting hospitality costs

1. Before submitting a funding request, read and bookmark the guidance and IPSA funding handbook. If you’re still unsure, get in touch with your IPSA Account Manager.

2. Make sure you include as much information as possible in the ‘Add Information’ box, particularly where costs or visitor numbers differ from what would normally be expected.

3. Food-related office items should be recorded under the appropriate cost type. You can request funding for hospitality costs (such as tea, coffee, or light refreshments) for meeting attendees or visitors to your office.

4. Submit meeting-related costs under the correct expense type on IPSA Online. For example, if you have hired a room for a meeting, this would fall under Venue Hire, Meetings and Surgeries.

5. Remember that funding requests for food and drink purchased for MPs or staff while travelling for a parliamentary purpose should be recorded under Subsistence costs. Costs relating to volunteers should be recorded under Volunteer Agreed Arrangement Costs.