I would like to reassure everyone that the £10,000 that is available to each MP is to be used to enable staff to work from home to keep them safe. In some cases it will not be used. I can confirm that the 4 full time staff  in the Newport West Parliamentary team are working extremely hard to answer emails and phone calls from their own  homes. There has been a 130% increase in their workload since the start of this emergency and they are doing everything they can to answer queries and signpost constituents for help and support.

The money is not for the MPs personal use and I can confirm that I will not be taking it. Some MPs will need to use the money to ensure that staff are able to work from home effectively, but the money spent has to be accounted for. I hope this clarifies the situation and avoids any unnecessary emails and phone calls so we can concentrate on the people who need our help each day.