Liz Truss is able to receive £115,000 a year for the rest of her life because she was the Prime Minister - even though she was only in office for 44 days.
She may be the shortest-serving PM in British history, but Liz Truss is still entitled to the Public Duty Cost Allowance, which assists former prime ministers that are still active in public life.
The allowance, good for up to £115,000 a year, means Truss can file for expenses when carrying out jobs or expenditure related to her briefly-held position as the UK’s most powerful politician.
Introduced in in 1991 following Margaret Thatcher's resignation, the allowance was designed to support the politician who was in charge for more than a decade after her party moved against her - but it benefits Truss too, even though she had to resign after only six weeks.
The Public Duty Cost Allowance limit was set in 2011 and will remain frozen at that rate until at least 2023, and it has reportedly paid out millions since being established by Sir John Major, who succeeded Mrs Thatcher.
What do you think about Truss' resignation? Let us know in the comments...
The Cabinet Office says: "The costs are a reimbursement of incurred expenses for necessary office costs and secretarial costs arising from their special position in public life.
"The allowance is not paid to support private or parliamentary duties."
The money is supposed to be spent on office, correspondence and public speaking costs associated with any public role former prime ministers continue to play.
Costs are reimbursed only after proof of expenditure is provided.
The allowance is paid to all former PMs, even if they continue serving in Parliament.
That rule means that ex-Downing street incumbents such as Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and now Liz Truss, who have continued to serve as MPs, can claim the six-figure allowance on top of their basic Commons salary of £84,144.
However, the allowance is not received if the former PM becomes leader of the opposition after exiting the famous black door.
The Cabinet Office can also choose to reduce the level of allowance available if they accept a paid public appointment.
As well as the allowance, outgoing PMs are also able to claim ministerial severance pay of £18,860.
It amounts to three months of their prime ministerial salary of £75,440, which they receive on top of their MP pay.
In 2018, The Sunday Times reported that ex-Labour PM Tony Blair had claimed more than £1m via the funding pot in the 10 years since leaving office in 2007.
Former prime ministers John Major, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May have also claimed.
According to the Cabinet Office annual accounts, Sir Tony and Sir John claimed the full £115,000 amount available for the years 2020-21 and 2019-20.
Gordon Brown, who succeeded Sir Tony but lost the 2010 general election, has claimed just shy of the full amount over those same two years.
David Cameron claimed £113,423 in 2020-21 and slightly less, at £111,457, in 2019-20.
Theresa May has also made use of the PDCA since quitting in 2019.
In 2020-21, the former Tory leader claimed £55,381, with £11,500 filed for the preceding year.
Former PMs can also claim for staff pension costs out of the pot, with more than £55,000 expensed against for such expenditure in 2020-21.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
