(2) what the limit is of the public duty costs allowance for former Prime Ministers; and when that limit will next be reviewed;
(3) what rules apply to claims made by former Prime Ministers from the public duty costs allowance;
(4) which office administers the public duty costs allowance for former Prime Ministers; and what checks are made to ensure that claims against the allowance meet the criteria for funding from the allowance;
(5) what guidance is provided to former Prime Ministers on claiming from the public duty costs allowance; and if she will place a copy of that guidance in the Library.
I have been asked to reply.
The public duties cost allowance, which is administered by the Cabinet Office, is paid in respect of office and secretarial expenses incurred by former Prime Ministers in connection with their public duties. All claims must be supported by documentary evidence. The allowance is not payable if the former Prime Minister is occupying the position of Leader of the Opposition. The allowance is linked to the ceiling of the centralised arrangements for payment of staff and secretarial support for MPs with London constituencies.
Information on payments before the 1997-98 financial year is obtainable only at disproportionate cost. The total amount reimbursed each year, on a cash basis, on the public duties costs allowance is:
Maximum allowance which can be claimed by each former Prime Minister (£) Total claimed by former Prime Ministers (£) 1997-98 47,568 171,827 1998-99 49,232 175,402 1999-2000 50,264 171,984 2000-01 51,572 167,955 2001-02 52,760 186,922 2002-03 72,310 278,615 2003-04 74,985 235,809 2004-05 77,534 274,794 2005-06 84,081 294,546 2006-07 87,276 244,638 2007-08 90,505 174,551 2008-09 100,205 190,888