Committee on Standards in Public Life Announces Full Inquiry into Party Political Finance

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today announced that it would be holding an inquiry into party political finance.

Committee on Standards in Public Life publishes report and response to ISPA consultation on MPs' expenses

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today published its annual report for 2008-09 and its response to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's consultation on MPs' expenses

Committee on Standards in Public Life Report on MPs' Expenses and Allowances

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today published its report on the future system of MPs' expenses and called for its full implementation from the beginning of the next Parliament.

David Prince Appointed to Committee on Standards in Public Life

The Prime Minister today announced the appointment of David Prince CBE to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Committee on Standards in Public Life Announces Dates for Public Hearings for its Inquiry into MPs' Expenses

The Committee on Standards in Public Life have announced the dates and venues for a series of public hearings at which the Committee will take oral evidence for its inquiry into MPs' Expenses.

Committee on Standards in Public Life Calls for Evidence on MPs' Expenses Inquiry

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today published an 'Issues and Questions paper' setting out the scope of their public inquiry into MPs' expenses and called for evidence from all interested parties.

Committee on Standards in Public Life to bring forward inquiry into MPs allowances

Sir Christopher Kelly, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, today announced that it is to bring forward the inquiry into MPs allowances

Committee on Standards in Public Life to Look at MPs' Allowances

Sir Christopher Kelly, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, today announced that it will be undertaking a wide-ranging review of MPs' allowances later this year.

Committee on Standards in Public Life Calls for Evidence for its Inquiry into 'Local Leadership and Public Trust'

The Committee on Standards in Public Life has published an Issues and Questions paper which asks for views and evidence for its inquiry into openness and accountability in Local and London Government.

Third National Survey of Public Attitudes on Standards of Conduct in Public Life

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today published the results from their third biennial survey of public attitudes on standards of conduct in public life.

Committee on Standards in Public Life Announces New Inquiry into 'Local Leadership and Public Trust'

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today announced that the subject of its twelfth inquiry is to be 'Local Leadership and Public Trust: Accountability and Transparency in London and Local Government'.

MP's Pay and Allowances

The Committee has decided to postpone a decision on whether to conduct a review on MP's pay and allowances until next year, to give time to see how new arrangements announced shortly affect the position.

Response to the MEC Reports

The Committee has today released a press release regarding the MEC Report on MPs' allowances.

Principles for MP Allowances

This note sets out the principles which the Committee on Standards in Public Life believes should be followed in the review of MPs allowances currently being conducted by the Members Estimate Committee. It has been produced following a discussion between the Chairman of the Committee and the Speaker, and a separate discussion with the Members Estimate Committee.

It starts from the premise that it is in Members own interest, as well as that of the public, that the arrangements for their remuneration and reimbursement of expenses should meet the highest standards of transparency, probity and accountability. It is clear from recent events and the reaction to them that the current arrangements fail to meet those standards in a number of respects. Our understanding is that a large number of MPs share that view.

We therefore welcome the decision to review the current arrangements and the steps that have already been taken, or set in train, towards greater transparency and accountability.

In the meantime, and in the absence of hearing the evidence which we would expect to take should we mount our own review, we have not felt it right to express firm views at this stage on the detail of the allowance structure. But we are clear about the principles which we would expect reforms to follow if confidence in the system and in the probity of Members of Parliament is to be restored.

MPs' Employment of Family Members

Following the Derek Conway case, the Parliamentary Standards and Privileges Committee has now published proposals for registration by MPs of the family members that they employ. The Committee on Standards in Public Life responded to the consultation on these proposals. Sir Christopher Kelly's letter to the Standards and Privileges Committee can be read by downloading the document below.

Electoral Integrity must be restored

Standards Committee calls for its recommendations on restoring integrity to the Electoral System to be implemented following the judgement of the Electoral Petition relating to the Local Elections held in Slough on 3 May 2007.

Committee's reply to the Government's response to its 11th Report

The Committee's reply to the Government's response to its 11th Inquiry into the Electoral Commission.

Sir Christopher Kelly KCB to become new Chairman

It was announced today that Sir Christopher Kelly KCB is to become the new Chair of the Committee. He will take up the post on 1 January 2008.

Committee's statement on Party Funding

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today drew attention to the importance of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, as providing transparency in political party funding, in line with the Committee’s Principles of public life.

Committee welcomes the Ministerial Code

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today welcomed the publication by the Prime Minister of his new Ministerial Code and the firm commitment to bring forward legislation to enshrine the ethical principles underpinning the Civil Service

Rita Donaghy CBE to be Interim Chair

Rita Donaghy CBE is to become the interim Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Rita will take over from Sir Alistair Graham whose three-year term comes to an end on 25 April.

Committee welcomes Sir Hayden Phillips' report

The Committee on Standards in Public Life today welcomed the recommendations in Sir Hayden Phillips’s report on political party funding on the role of the Electoral Commission.

Committee publishes its Eleventh Report

Radical reform of the Electoral Commission is needed to safeguard the long-term health of our democratic system, the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life said today