Bulletin 15 December 2011

Media strategy

In order to be more proactive (within existing resources) in explaining the work of the House and MPs, there will be a review of the rules on filming and photography, with the aim of meeting the media's need for images while avoiding inconvenience to Members; initiatives will be devised to improve public understanding of the work done by individual MPs; and the work of the House Photographer will be strengthened. 

Contact: John Pullinger x3635

Savings Programme

Responses to the recent consultation were generally supportive while raising useful points of detail; a summary with observations in reply ( PDF 617 KB) has been placed on the intranet. Work will continue along the lines set out in the consultation paper, and there will be further consultation as more detailed proposals are developed in each area. The estimated savings are around £15 million, leaving £10 million of savings still to be found. The target for income generation is additional net income of £3.5 million by 2014/15 compared with 2011/12, and detailed work is being carried out on the possibility of a charitable trust to use income for education, outreach and heritage purposes. 

Contact: Elizabeth Honer x6104

Financial planning

The planned resource Estimate for 2012/13 is £224 million, £4 million less than in 2011/12, while absorbing upwards cost pressures. It meets the target for this stage in the Savings Programme. A financial plan for the four years to 2015/16 has been agreed. 

Contact: Myfanwy Barrett x0833

Observations on matters in the bulletin or other aspects of the House's administration should be sent to gerholddj@parliament.uk for the attention of the Commission.