The parliamentary expenses scandal of 2009 brought representative democracy in the United Kingdom (UK) into disrepute, causing lasting damage to public perceptions of politicians and the system as a whole. Sustained and sometimes serious abuses of expenditure rules came to light. Rather than being an isolated occurrence, this experience pointed to potential weaknesses in democracy in the UK and internationally. One of the outcomes of the 2009 episode was the formation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), which is responsible for the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs) and for regulating their business expenditure. IPSA is the partner on this project, the purpose of which is to provide greater understanding of the regulation of parliamentary expenditure in the UK and other Westminster systems, and to engage in broad dissemination of the findings and their policy implications.
Evidence suggests declining confidence in the system of representative democracy, in the UK and beyond. This trend is of deep concern from the perspective of the continued viability of democratic systems. If the public are to perceive democracy in a positive sense, it is important that they believe those who represent them have the capacity to deliver for them, and have integrity. For these reasons, elected representatives – including MPs in the UK – receive public resources, which are in turn subject to regulation. A portion of the support MPs receive comes within the category of salaries and expenditure. Providing MPs with a personal income and the resources necessary to perform their role is democratically essential, since it means that people can serve as MPs without needing to rely on personal wealth. It also means that they are able to serve their local constituency; for instance, holding meetings, handling casework, and raising issues in Parliament.
Whilst salaries are at a fixed rate for all MPs, expenditure is variable according to the particular needs associated with a given constituency; for example, how far it is from London. MPs therefore need discretion in their spending decisions. They operate according to a general set of principles, but those principles cannot foresee all possible circumstances, and the expenditure system consequently relies upon MPs’ good judgement and proper behaviour. There is an abiding risk of expenditures taking place which either accidently or deliberately violate the rules. When such transgressions occur, there is a considerable likelihood of public condemnation, as occurred in 2009.
This project seeks to map and understand the design and principles involved in the regulation of MPs’ expenditure, and their answers to the trade-offs involved; for instance, between flexibility and safeguarding against abuse. It considers how the current regulatory system for UK MPs’ expenses came about, and when and why the key decisions were made. It then takes an international perspective, looking at selected comparator states and the regulatory regimes they have arrived at. Based on the findings, the project will reflect on the implications for effective regulation of parliamentary expenditure, which will be of use to IPSA and its counterparts in other countries.
Supervisors:
Cristel Koop: christel.koop@kcl.ac.uk
Andrew Blick: andrew.blick@kcl.ac.uk
How to apply:
- Details on how to apply can be found here: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DLO793/phd-researcher-in-public-policy-research-understanding-the-regulation-of-parliamentary-expenditure
- Applicants should also complete the online LISS-DTP Diversity Monitoring Form
- The closing date for applications is: 26 February 2025
- Interviews will be held in mid-March 2025
- This project is offered as full-time only
- For any queries contact christel.koop@kcl.ac.uk or andrew.blick@kcl.ac.uk