The Remuneration Board is responsible for setting the pay, pensions and allowances of Members of the Senedd and Members support staff.
The rules surrounding what they are entitled to claim for are contained within the Determination. The chapters of the Determination are summarised below:
Chapter 1 – The Principles of financial support: Financial support and remuneration for Members should support the strategic purpose of the Senedd and facilitate the work of its Members; decisions must be appropriate within the context of Welsh earnings and the wider financial circumstances of Wales; and the system of financial support for Members must be robust, clear, transparent, sustainable and represent value for money for the taxpayer.
Chapter 2 – Rules for submission of claims: Rules aiming to support the principles underpinning the reimbursement of expenses.
Chapter 3 – Members’ Remuneration: This includes the salary which all Members and Office Holders within the Senedd and Welsh Government are entitled to receive and details of their pension scheme.
Chapter 3A – Additional Support: This outlines additional support relating to disabilities, parental leave and caring responsibilities.
Chapter 4 – Residential Accommodation Expenditure: The amount Members can be reimbursed for staying overnight away from their main homes in connection to their role as Member of the Senedd. This is subject to their main home being in the inner, intermediate or outer area.
Chapter 5 – Members’ travel: Deals with types of travel on Senedd Business by Members. Also includes travel undertaken by Members’ partners, children and staff.
Chapter 6 – Office costs: Allowance to reimburse Members all reasonable costs relating to the running of their office and engaging with constituents.
Chapter 7 – Support for Senedd Members: Staffing expenditure costs to enable the performance of the Member’s duties as a Member of the Senedd.
Chapter 8 – Support for Political Parties: Assist parties and individual Members in discharging their work in the Senedd.
Chapter 9 – Members leaving office: Assists those who are no longer Members to complete any work that was in progress at the time they ceased to be a Member.
Any changes to the Determination must be subject to a consultation with those likely to be affected by its decision.