School governors provide a voluntary service, and are not paid for their role as a governor. However, they can receive out-of-pocket expenses. This may include reasonable expenses to cover travel costs or child care costs incurred as a result of fulfilling their role as governor.

Where the board has a delegated budget, whether to pay allowances and what allowances might reasonably be paid are matters for the board to decide. Where a board does not have a delegated budget, allowances and expenses may be paid by the local authority at a rate determined by them. 

Payments are only made for expenditure necessarily incurred to enable the person to perform any duty as a governor. This does not include payments to cover loss of earnings for attending meetings. Travel expenses are paid at a rate not exceeding the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) approved mileage rates, as published annually on the HMRC website. Other expenses are paid on provision of a receipt and are limited to the amount shown on the receipt.