We will scrutinise investments by the House and the thinking behind them
2 min read
The Finance Committee oversees expenditure of the House of Commons Administration, covering everything from Chamber services to the Education Centre, and from the Catering Services to the running of multi-million pound construction projects.
The committee serves in an important advisory capacity, making recommendations to the House of Commons Commission – the executive body of the House – based on the information scrutinised in its monthly meetings. The House, through the Commission, sets its budget, so the committee plays an important role in ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
While Finance looks right across spend in the Administration, the provision of services is dealt with by the sister Administration Committee. As with the Finance Committee, it acts in an advisory capacity and recommendations made are fed into the House of Commons Commission. Both chairs are members of the House of Commons Commission.
Establishing a committee at this stage in the financial cycle – due to the timing of the election – means that this year our focus will be on reviewing already established plans as they are put into action, scrutinising issues as they are identified as well as major areas of spend. We want to make sure the Administration is spending money properly but also maximising support for Members and their staff with the resources available.
Key areas that we’re going to be looking at include costs for building and maintenance, the scoping of future projects, as well as the important areas of security and member safety.
Advertising Revenue helps fund our journalism.
Please consider disabling your ad blocker.
Our role is not to act as a micromanager – we rely on the professionalism and expertise of teams across the House. But as the nominated chair, my personal priority is to provide a space where members of this Committee can feel comfortable to exercise their role, to scrutinise the investments by the House and the strategic thinking behind them.
I’m confident this committee will fulfil its duty to Parliament and the public purse, by asking the strategic questions that all organisations need from an independent partner in order to reflect on progress, stay on track or change course where necessary.
