Determination on Members’ Pay, Staffing and Business Costs

The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd decides on the pay and support available to Members of the Senedd. Its aim is to attract a diverse range of capable candidates and to help Members do their jobs well, while ensuring good value for the public.

The Determination sets out the financial support that Members can receive and the rules for what they can claim to help them carry out their role.

Below is a summary of each chapter of the Determination. The principles and rules set out in Chapter 1 apply to all chapters in the Determination.

This Chapter sets out the principles that underpin this Determination and requires Members to follow those principles.

This Chapter also sets out general rules that apply to the submission of claims, claims for costs that do not fall within Chapters 2 to 9 and the meaning of various terms used in this Determination.

Go to chapter 1

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide Members with a level of remuneration (including salary and pension benefits) which fairly reflects the complexity and importance of their functions, and does not, on financial grounds, deter persons with the necessary commitment and ability from seeking election to the Senedd.

Go to chapter 2

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow Members to claim for the costs of additional support that relate to disabilities and medical conditions and caring and parental responsibilities, in order to support Members in the performance of their duties. It also provides for security at a Member’s main home.

Go to chapter 3

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow Members to claim for costs that arise when they (and their support staff) need to stay away from home to perform their duties. It provides flexibility for Members to organise stays away from home in a way that best suits their working practices and caring responsibilities.

Go to chapter 4

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow Members to claim for the costs of travel for themselves, their support staff and their families, when Members need to travel to perform their duties. It provides flexibility for Members to organise their working arrangements in a way that best suits their working practices.

Go to chapter 5

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow Members to claim for costs that relate to working in, and representing, their constituencies. It includes engagement with constituents, support for research and policy development, and costs relating to premises used for carrying out Senedd duties (i.e. constituency premises) where Members choose to have them. Claims relating to travel and staffing are set out in Chapters 5 and 7.

Go to chapter 6

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow Members to claim for the costs of employing support staff. It also provides Members with a framework within which support staff must be employed if their salaries, and associated employment, travel and subsistence costs and entitlements, are to be funded under this Determination.

Go to chapter 7

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide Senedd Groups with resources for central administration and coordination, support for scrutiny, research and policy development related to Members’ duties, communications support, pastoral and wellbeing support, equipment and services. This includes costs relating to staffing, travel, externally commissioned services, as well as operating a group office.

Go to chapter 8

The purpose of this Chapter is to make provision to meet the various costs that arise when a Member ceases to be a Member. This includes provision for winding up contractual commitments and the closure of casework in progress, winding up and resettlement payments, providing assurance to potential candidates about their futures, and a payment for Members who fall ill.

Go to chapter 9

Annex A: Salaries and Budgets for 2026-27 (from May 2026) 

Annex B: Entitlements to be included in Support Staff contracts of employment