Five top tips for bought-in services

1. You can use bought-in services to support the office with temporary admin work, legal or research services, speech writing, or web design. More examples are available in our guidance.  

2. Before requesting funding for bought-in services, MPs must submit a written declaration that confirms they have acted in line with IPSA’s principles. The form is available on our website and must be completed before you submit claims for a bought-in service. 

3. Check for any potential conflicts of interest before choosing a supplier. If you later identify a conflict, your MP should submit a new declaration form to tell us how they’re managing it. 

4. In the form you are asked to select the category that best fits the service. For example, for speechwriting, press releases, social media, or media training, you should choose ‘Communications and Media.’  

5. You can pay for some bought-in services out of either the staffing budget or the office cost budget. To make sure you use the correct budget and provide the right evidence, check the IPSA Funding Handbook. 

Bonus tip: You do not need to submit declarations for pooled services. IPSA can pay these directly if an agreement is already in place.