Exceptional funding

Exceptional funding is available for:

• A cost or liability that is not allowed within the Funding Scheme but the MP considers to be in support of their parliamentary functions and IPSA's regulatory principles

• When spending under a particular budget has exceeded or may exceed the budget limit for the year and the MP considers this to be the result of exceptional circumstances

In deciding where to provide additional funding, IPSA may consider:

• Whether there are exceptional circumstances warranting additional support

• Whether the MP could reasonably have taken action to avoid the circumstances that led to the expenditure or liability

• Whether the MP’s performance of parliamentary functions would be significantly impaired by refusal of the funding

• Whether requests comply with IPSA’s regulatory principles including MPs' responsibility to practice good budget management

Guidance updated on April 2026.

IPSA considers requests for exceptional funding on a case-by-case basis and with regard to the circumstances.

It is unlikely exceptional funding will be granted for:

• Costs incurred as part of an MP’s or staff member’s regular parliamentary functions unless there are exceptional or unforeseen circumstances needing additional resource

• MPs who wish to 'top up' their budget at the end of the financial year without evidence of exceptional circumstances or for expenditure that they had reasonable opportunity to budget for

• Requests that do not comply with IPSA's regulatory principles

Guidance updated on April 2026.

MPs will be expected to consider IPSA’s regulatory principles before making a request for exceptional funding.

Parliamentary purpose

• Is the request for additional funding in support of your parliamentary work?

• Can this be funded from another source, e.g. House-provided resources?

• Without the funding, would there be a clear impact on your ability to carry out your role effectively?

Accountability

• Have you considered any other course of action which would avoid or reduce the cost?

• Could the cost have been foreseen with enough time to adjust other planned expenditure?

Value for money

• Is additional funding needed based on a realistic forecast for the remainder of the year?

• Have you made efforts to reduce/limit spending on this matter and in other areas (after the cost was known)?

• For higher-cost items, have you sought multiple quotes wherever possible?

• Have you considered a long-term plan to manage within the budget in future?

Integrity

• Is there any element of personal benefit for you or for someone close to you?

An MP or proxy should speak to IPSA in the first instance to discuss what is needed in terms of additional support.

Speak to your account manager for requests relating to additional accommodation, office or legal costs, and your payroll services officer for requests relating to staffing, including the staffing support fund.

If you are a staff member who is getting in touch, please speak to your MP and make sure they are happy for you to approach IPSA. They will need to sign off any requests made.

As part of discussions with IPSA, we will ask for relevant evidence and explanatory information that could include:

• Evidence of the cost incurred/expected, e.g. an invoice or quote

• Budget information showing that additional funding is likely to be required, i.e. current and forecast spend

While there is no expectation that MPs should reduce spending in other areas to make room for an unexpected cost outside their control, they are expected to demonstrate that they have attempted to cover the cost within their existing budget.

Guidance updated on April 2026.

The staffing support fund is held centrally by IPSA to provide temporary, tailored support to offices facing exceptionally high workloads, managing a particularly busy period or needing to address a backlog.

Additional funding and other support will be provided according to need. Not all offices will need to call on this fund while others will be facing circumstances that require more support.

IPSA will consider evidence of need, value for money and an office’s plan for a more sustainable setup in the longer term.

MPs and proxies should speak to their payroll services officer so they can understand the circumstances and how IPSA can best provide support. To support your request, your payroll officer may ask for:

• Data on casework volumes (if this is relevant to your request) – how have volumes changed over time, e.g. six months, one year, two years? Why have they changed and what do you anticipate for the coming period?

• Shortfall in your current staff complement – what would you need to get through the backlog and to a place where things can run more smoothly? If you are intending to recruit staff, have you factored in recruitment costs and lead-in time including for security clearance?

• Workload and budget management – what have you tried so far to keep workloads manageable (e.g. prioritisation and triage) or to operate within budget, and what effect have they had?

• Future arrangements – what is your longer-term plan? What changes do you/does the MP have in mind to be able to manage within budget in the future?

We understand that once you have made a request, you will want to know the outcome as soon as possible (e.g. so that you can recruit). While we will work hard to consider requests quickly, please be aware that payroll calculations can be complex and we will not be able to respond immediately in most cases. Sometimes we may need to have conversations with you to understand how your office is operating and how IPSA can best support you.

IPSA will publish these costs in aggregate to provide transparency for members of the public and to enable us to assess the way the fund is used by offices. MPs remain accountable for requests and for how they use funding.

Guidance updated on April 2026.

Contact the Members' and Members' Staff Services Team for advice on legal or insurance claims that may be covered under the range of policies or services provided by the House.

IPSA provides funding for disability assistance and reasonable adjustments through a separate process. See guidance.

Removal costs incurred by MPs when changing their accommodation or office and Welsh translation costs are automatically covered by central funding, and do not need a specific request or application. See guidance.

Staff redundancy payments resulting from MPs leaving Parliament are also covered by central funding. See guidance.