There is a contingency budget for office staff equipment and associated because not all of our staff team work from home and have their own appropriate IT equipment. It is there if and only if is needed and it has to be accounted for, quite rightly. I am pleased the attention of the story in the Times has drawn focus to the importance of Parliamentary teams now working from home and I am grateful to my team who really help my constituents. Due to the level of casework, now in particular, MPs could not serve their constituents properly without them. They are helping and working with, often vulnerable people on my behalf, who are dealing with unprecedented situations. They are researching, collating and passing on guidance in a fast-changing environment. This being done remotely as we navigate these unchartered waters.
The £10,000 budget was agreed by IPSA the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to support MPs with additional funds if and where needed. As I said earlier, this and any other funds need to be accounted for.