To think MPs shouldn’t get this extra money

[grapesofraf]

www.politicshome.com/news/article/mps-given-10000-extra-to-help-them-work-from-home-during-coronavirus-outbreak

We’re all having to face hardships but typically MPs putting their needs ahead of nurses and other front line workers. They already get a big allowance for their office.

I don’t entirely agree.

It is more important than ever that our MPs are doing their job to the best of their abilities.

True, many could afford to buy any additional equipment themselves. However, by adding in that expectation, we continue to make politics the preserve of the rich, when it is more important than ever that it is open to everyone.

Is it just for them or is it for the constituency office staff to work from home? As if its for the staff I can understand it, as they need secure laptops and Internet connections. If its jyst the MPs, its unreasonable as presumably they already have everything they need to work from multiple locations

It’s for MPs and their staff. There will be some bellend MPs who use it to buy their kids a new gaming PC but there will also be some MPs who use it to purchase a new laptop for their staff so they can work from home and pay their electricity bill. MP staff don’t receive a large wage and will be struggling just the same as the vast majority of the population. I think there should be strict reporting and visibility on what it’s spent on. Anyone who misuses the funds, should lose their jobs when this is over. That in itself should be enough to deter the bellend MPs but there’s always one.

Yes i understand they’ll need extra in these times, but don’t we all. MPs will certainly make sure they won’t be out of pocket that’s for sure.

That's terrible. Why aren't ngs staff getting this instead of MPs?

We are all paying our electricity bills while working at home. I think it’s a joke when you have got nurses and doctors putting their lives at risk for pittance and a real smack in the face for them. They are no different to the rest of us, if they can’t work from home they need to go to work that is what they are telling everyone else.

Many moons ago I worked for an MP. The office allowances are not actually that generous - the published "expenses" include the salaries of like 5 staff, and often budgets don't even allow one laptop per person so anyone who has desktop computers will need this.

I'm annoyed. Working from home . Had to buy a new laptop so my daughter could do her school work at the same time I worked. Extra electricity etc. I'm not asking / expecting for my extra costs to be covered and no one I know is , so not sure why they deserve it.

They aren’t though.

It goes into a budget to run the office. Completely different to getting it personally and as usual, the gullible left are lapping it up

Very unfair. NHS staff aren’t getting any extra and they are actually putting themselves in danger on a daily basis.

I've had to work from home. Didn't cross my mind to ask for am extra penny and I can't think what I would use it for!

Until all nurses etc have proper PPE the MPs shouldn't be putting their hands in the jar

MPs have form for making sure they’re never out of pocket for anything. As usual it’s just themselves they’re over generous with.

I’d suggest given issues with PPE (etc), it is even more important that MPs and their staff are fully able to do their work!

People here are v good at criticising MPs. I agree it is often fair criticism but if you’d be so much better, why don’t you stand for parliament?

It's money for MPs and staff to work from home - so for laptops, phone bills and internet connections. I imagine most MPs already have home offices but the staff probably won't.

My work and my husband's work provide our laptops and reimburse us for out of pocket expenses. Why should MPs' staff have to pay?

If we say no wage rise to front line staff who are risking their lives WITHOUT the proper equipment ! How can any argument be made to justify MPs many of whom are already independently wealthy to be given 10K ?
It’s a slap in the face for the Nhs & other key workers
Especially as we could argue that it was government incompetence & complacency that has added to the shortages & death toll ! #operationCygnus

I wouldn't expect anyone who has to work from home to buy their own equipment. Why should MPs and those who work for governments be any different?

It's not into MP's pocket
It's to buy laptops for their staff to be able to work remotely, staff travel if needed and these type of things. Do you know how many people are now contacting their MPs?

This ks just another factually wrong thread. And you know what. If Youtube can be cracking down on fake news so should @MNHQ

@OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow

Hear! Hear!

Yavbu MPs are having to set up working from home capability for their staff and potentially taking on more staff to cope with deluge of calls from the public because of the pandemic.

They will be inundated.

If people insist that MPs must pay for things or of their own pockets then only the rich will stand parliament.

The amount seems excessive to me. I would guess that £1000 would be more than enough to completely kit out a home office for one person, and that's assuming they had no desk, chair or computer to start with. Does the average MP's office have ten or more full-time staff, none of whom currently have a computer and internet access?

I don't think 3 to 4 members of staff would not be unusual and that's assuming they aren't having to take on more staff.

I've no idea what systems they use. Do they need partucular laptops or particular spec? Are they having to rent additional office space because they can have only so many people in their usual office for distancing reasons and some can't work from home?

Damn it. Double negative

They need their laptops to be configured in a certain way. Some will need printers, parliament headed paper, envelopes etc. They're also absolutely inundated right now as the public expect them to be all things to all people and often people contact their MP in absolute desperation. There's the cost of setting up new phone systems, etc. Tbh I don't know how much a lot of it costs but it's important stuff. I'd rather they don't use the whole budget than not have enough. Most MPs' staff wouldn't be on more than £30k either, and are often subject to ridiculous abuse.