Meeting of the Parliament 27 June 2018
The next question is, that motion S5M-12953, in the name of Andy Wightman, on witness expenses, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament determines that:
(a) allowances and expenses in respect of the matters set out in column (1) below be paid or payable, as the case may be, in accordance with Rule 2.6.2 or 12.4.3 of the Standing Orders, as the case may be, to a person who attends proceedings of the Parliament for the purpose of giving evidence or who produces documents in his or her custody or under his or her control;
(b) said allowances and expenses be at the rates set out in column (2) opposite the respective entries in column (1);
(c) the rates set out in column (2) be uprated in accordance with column (3);
(d) said allowances and expenses be applied in accordance with the set of underlying principles and rules detailed below;
(e) the SPCB be directed to issue revised guidance and provide claim forms in connection with the payment of such allowances and expenses; and
(f) that the qualifying date for such expenses and allowances be 2 July 2018.
ANNEXE A – OVERVIEW OF CLAIMABLE EXPENSES
The below rates are reviewed annually and may be revised. Any changes will take effect from 1 April.
Current Scheme (2017/18)
Accommodation (not including food/drink)
Overnight Stay £118.75 per night
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Overnight expenses
(including accommodation,
food/drink) £156.00 per night
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Subsistence (including overnight)
Less than 5 hours Nil
5 to 10 hours £6.29 max
Over ten hours £13.61 max
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Food and drink (not overnight)
Less than 5 hours No change
5 to 10 hours No change
Over 10 hours No change
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Travel by public transport
Standard fares Paid at cost
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Travel by public transport
Standard fares No change
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Travel by private transport
Taxi Paid at cost
Car 45p per mile
Motor Cycle 25p per mile
Pedal Cycle 21p per mile
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Travel by private transport
Taxi No change
Car No change
Motor Cycle 24p per mile
Pedal Cycle 20p per mile
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Loss of earnings
Paid employment £237.51 per ½
day max
Self-employment £237.51 per ½
day max
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Loss of earnings
Paid employment No change
Self-employment No change
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Caring costs
Childcare £8.45 per
hour max
Unpaid primary carers: replacement
care cover for dependents for
up to 7.5 hours N/A
Updated scheme (2018/19)
Caring costs
Childcare No change
Unpaid primary carers: replacement
care cover for dependents for
up to 7.5 hours To be paid at cost
____________________________________________
Current scheme (2017/18)
Other
Photocopying 13p per sheet
Postage Paid at cost
Video conferencing N/A
Updated Scheme (2018/19)
Photocopying No change
Postage No change
Video conferencing To be paid at cost
ANNEXE B – WITNESS EXPENSES SCHEME PRINCIPLES AND RULES
SCHEME OVERVIEW
In submitting a claim, the claimant shall:-
(i) act in accordance with the Scheme Principles; and
(ii) comply with the Rules of the Scheme.
PRINCIPLES OF THE SCHEME
The Principles of the Scheme are:
Inclusivity
The Scottish Parliament aims to promote engagement and participation to support and strengthen the work of the Parliament and to enhance parliamentary democracy at home and abroad.
In striving to meet this aim, the Parliament recognises that individuals have different needs which impact on their ability to participate equally in the work of the Parliament and its committees.
The principle of inclusivity shall therefore be the paramount principle of the Scheme.
Accessibility
In supporting equal participation in the committees’ work through the payment of witness expenses, due regard shall be had to the following–
(i) whether the claimant has been invited to participate in an individual or professional capacity. If participating in a professional capacity, whether the body being represented, or individual representative, is able to recoup the expenses incurred from their own professional allowances scheme, entitlement or taxation relief;
(ii) whether the claimant has any individual need(s) that, if not met by a claim for expenses, may otherwise have a negative impact on their ability to participate equally in the work of committees.
Honesty
All claims under the Scheme shall be made in good faith. In this regard, the claimant shall ensure that any claims submitted relate solely in respect of their attendance of parliamentary activities and are not submitted in order to gain financial or other benefit for the claimant, or any other person.
Objectivity
With regard to the principle of inclusivity, the claimant, in submitting a claim for expenses under the Scheme, shall be satisfied that the amount and type of claim(s) represent value for money and were incurred having due regard to–
(i) the claimant’s individual needs; and
(ii) the efficiency and effectiveness of the claimant’s ability to participate in relevant proceedings.
Sustainability
The Scottish Parliament aims to reduce the need to travel and develop and promote the use of sustainable travel by people working in and visiting the building.
When deciding on whether transportation options to attend parliamentary activities represent value for money, claimants shall also give regard to ways in which they may be able to minimise the carbon footprint of their participation. In this light, claimants may have regard to:
(i) low-carbon transportation options; or
(ii) providing evidence by more sustainable means, such as by video conference or submitting any written evidence electronically.
RULES OF THE SCHEME
1. The payment of expenses shall be at the discretion of the Group Head of Committees and Outreach and all claims under the Scheme shall be assessed on an individual basis.
2. All expenses claims made under the Scheme must be evidenced by original receipts or vouchers (as applicable).
3. Payment of expenses under the Scheme may be made in advance of proceedings with approval of the Group Head of Committees and Outreach.
4. Claims must be received by the clerking team within 28 days of the date on which the proceedings took place in respect of which the claimant makes a claim under the Scheme.
5. Claims for loss of earnings in respect of self-employment must be evidenced by a certificate from an accountant or a copy of the claimant’s previous year’s tax.
6. Travel and accommodation shall be incurred at standard rates, unless previously agreed with the Clerk to the Committee.
7. Claims totalling more than the upper limit set by the Group Head of Committees and Outreach must receive prior approval of the Clerk to the Committee.
8. Private transport should only be used where it is more economical in the circumstances, or where travel by public transport is otherwise inappropriate.
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S5M-12953 Witness Expenses Motion