European Research Group subscriptions

I would like to explain that section 1(1) of the FOIA gives a right of access to the public to information held by public authorities.

Requests can be in the form of questions, but there is no requirement for public authorities to answer, if this would mean creating new information or giving an opinion or judgment that is not already recorded.

Further information about the FOIA can be found on the ICO website.

I can confirm that we hold information relevant to your request.

Is it true MPs who are members of the European Reform Group can claim the £2000 per annum membership fee for this group as expenses?

This information is subject to a Refusal Notice under section 21 of the FOIA. This exemption applies where information is reasonably accessible by other means. This information is available in Chapter 7.4 of The Scheme of MPs’ Staffing and Business Costs which is on our website.

How many members claim this?

This information is subject to a Refusal Notice under section 21 of the FOIA. This exemption applies where information is reasonably accessible by other means. To view claims made by MPs for ERG subscriptions, please visit Other published data.

Using the drop-down menu at the top of the page, you will need to select a financial year alongside the option for ‘individual claims’, which will open a spreadsheet containing all individual claims made that financial year. You can filter on either the ‘Details’ or ‘Short Description’ columns for ‘ERG’ to identify relevant claims.

This will provide you with the names of all MPs who have made claims for subscriptions to the ERG in each financial year, alongside the total amount paid.

Do any Remainers claim for other groups campaigning to remain or rejoin the EU?

IPSA does not hold this information as we do not record on our system which MPs voted Remain or Leave.

If you have a list of those MPs who vote for Remain you can check for other subscriptions which they have submitted claims for on the “individual claims” file.