Peers vote online in droves after change to allowances

PEERS are falling over themselves to vote in the House of Lords after a new allowances regime was brought in which effectively pays them for passing legislation.

Record number of peers have voted since the change earlier this month, raising questions over whether it has provided a financial incentive to vote.

Before the pandemic, peers received a daily allowance of £323 if they were spotted in the chamber of the House or took part in debates or select committee hearings.

However, when coronavirus struck, peers – many of whom are over 70 and classed as vulnerable – were advised to work from home.

A new daily allowances scheme meant peers could only claim £162 – half the usual rate – if they took part virtually in debates or select committee hearings. This meant it was much harder for peers to claim.

Earlier this month the House of Lords Commission voted to allow any peers who vote on legislation to receive the allowance. The subsequent increase in peers taking part in votes on legislation has been startling.

Research by The Sunday Telegraph found an average of 497 peers have voted per division since the changes. This is 137 more than over the past five years.

On the Fisheries Bill on June 22, 561 peers voted – the largest number of vot

‘It is not surprising that members wanted to vote on crucial issues that will have a profound effect’

ing peers for two years. In comparison, an average of 360 Lords voted per piece of legislation between 2015 and 2019.

One senior peer admitted it looked “dreadful” but said not all of the peers will have claimed their daily allowances, details of which are published in the next few months.

A House of Lords spokesman said: “It is not surprising a significant number of members wanted to vote on crucial issues that will have a profound effect on people across the country.”