House of Lords Allowances and Expenses

Following a complaint by a member of the public against Members of the House of Lords relating to their allowances prompted by the Sunday Times articles, Michael Pownall the Clerk of Parliaments, undertook an investigation.

The report, published on the 9th February 2010, did not uphold the complaint against Baroness Morgan of Drefelin.

"Given Baroness Morgan's assurances, and the specific guidance to me from the House Committee that occupation of a residence once a month and for periods of the recess is sufficient for designation of a main residence, I consider that her designation meets a test of main residence under the current scheme and accordingly do not uphold the complaint against her." Clerk of the Parliaments, Michael Pownall. For full report click here.

The Sunday Times

Reports in the Sunday Times, in September 2009, about members of the House of Lords raised concerns about the system of allowances in the House of Lords. The Senior Salaries Review Board has looked at how the system could be modernised and has reported.

"The Sunday Times has misunderstood my situation. As a Lords Minister my remuneration does not depend on the location of my home at all. I receive a salary and a Lords minister's allowance, both are taxed and neither is depended on the location of my home.

Details of Lords office holder's allowances can be found here on the Cabinet Office web site.

I have had a family home in Wales since 1986. As Chief Executive of a UK Breast Cancer Charity and now as a Minister, my work has been predominantly in London but all my adult life I have divided my time between London and Wales.

My home in Wales has never been rented out to anyone.

As a working peer I have always adhered to the rules on allowances."

Baroness Delyth Morgan

All allowances and expenses claimed from the House of Lords by peers are published by the House of Lords every year.  Baroness Morgan of Drefelin allowances can be viewed here