Peers will get £150... for sitting in ‘virtual’ Lords
PEErS could get £150 a day tax-free for taking part in select committees remotely via webcam.
The Lords Speaker said they should not receive their full £323 daily allowance for simply watching proceedings from home but suggested they may receive half to take part in the committees.
Members of the House of Lords backed plans for virtual sittings yesterday after Parliament returned from recess.
Current rules state that they are only paid for physically attending.
But following complaints from peers, the House of Lords Commission will meet next Monday to decide whether they will get anything.
The Lord Speaker argued yesterday there was a strong argument they should not be able to claim a daily allowance if they watch proceedings from home.
However, Lord fowler suggested peers who hold select committee roles should continue to be paid for their work.
He said those who usually participate in these sittings are paid £150 a day.
Although peers are not salaried, they receive a tax-free payment of £323 a day for attendance in the chamber.
Meanwhile, MPs yesterday approved plans for a virtual parliament for the first time in their 700-year history.
Up to 50 will sit in the Commons chamber and another 120 dial in using Zoom video-conferencing.
Social distancing spaces have been marked on benches.
At Prime Minister’s Questions this lunchtime, MPs will be able to quiz foreign Secretary dominic raab via video link as he stands in for Boris Johnson.