§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What are the maximum expenses per mile available for an applicant who attends a social security tribunal and needs to use a car for the journey; and (b) what are the maximum expenses per mile available for tribunal service staff in the same circumstances; and what are the reasons for the discrepancy. [HL2376]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamIf an appellant is unfit to travel by public transport because, for example, of age or infirmity or where public transport is not available and he or she needs to use a car, he or she may, with the prior agreement of the Independent Tribunal Service, claim for the use of a taxi or private hire car. Otherwise, the rate of expenses per mile available for an appellant who attends a social security appeal tribunal and uses a car for the journey is 7.5p per mile.
The maximum expenses per mile available for tribunal service staff who attend a social security appeal tribunal and need to use a car for the journey is 40p per mile for up to 4,000 miles in one financial year. For any additional mileage the rate is 22.5p.
The rate set for appellants is intended to cover the actual fuel costs of making a one-off journey to attend a tribunal. The rate is advised by the Departmental Transport Office, is reviewed regularly and is based on current national market prices of fuel. The rate for staff includes a proportion of standing costs such as depreciation, insurance, road tax and all running costs such as fuel, servicing and repairs attributable to business miles travelled. The rate of 22.5p per mile is based on the average mileage costs of various forms of public transport.