Some House of Lords members pocketing large sums whereas ‘not contributing’ to debates
New research has discovered that 15 peers in the House of Lords claimed almost £600,000 in allowances and expenses despite not speaking in a single debate or doing committee work
The House of Lords has been branded “ludicrously bloated” after it emerged members are trousering huge sums while “not contributing”.
Analysis found 15 peers claimed £585,000 in allowances and expenses despite not speaking in a single debate or doing any committee work. Just three of them sent a written question to the Government.
The figures cover the last parliament, which sat from 2019 until last summer.
Members of the upper chamber can claim a £361 allowance for every day they turn up and enter the building, but don’t have to speak, vote or work. They are also entitled to claim travel expenses too.
The Electoral Reform Society’s Jess Garland slammed the Lords as being “ludicrously bloated”.
She said: “Despite many peers working hard, the vast size of the House of Lords means it lacks accountability. Too many peers get away with not contributing.
“Those who sit in parliament shaping our laws should be chosen by, and accountable to, the British people who live under those laws. That way, all peers will be accountable for fulfilling their roles, not just those who choose to play an active role.”
The group of 15 included Lord Khalid Hameed, who appeared not to contribute despite claiming £27,000 in allowances for attending 98 times. Lord Swraj Paul claimed £100,946 in allowances and voted once during the same period.
Research shows that 10% of peers made more than half of contributions to debates.
Getting rid of the quietest half of the chamber would slash the bill for allowances and expenses by more than a quarter, it found.
A spokesperson for the Lords said: “Members contribute to parliamentary work in a variety of ways which are by no means limited to considering amendments to legislation. Not all parliamentary work leaves a record in Hansard.
“Members of the Lords are not paid a salary and can only claim attendance allowance for days they attend the House and undertake parliamentary work.”
The Lords spokesperson added: “The House of Lords works hard to shape UK laws and, in the 2022-23 session, members considered nearly 8,000 amendments to laws, helping to improve them. Not all parliamentary work leaves a record in Hansard (the official record).
“Members of the Lords don’t get a salary like MPs – they can only claim attendance allowances for the days they attend, and have to certify they have undertaken parliamentary work on the day in question when claiming that allowance.”
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