MP outplacement: what happens next for those that lost?

There were some big scalps taken in last night’s election. Vince Cable, Esther McVey and Ed Balls were among the most high profile candidates to lose their seats.

MPs have very different benefits to those in outside of politics. While they don’t usually find a lot of sympathy, allowances for houses, transport and office running costs mean that those that lose their seat may find it hard to adjust to life outside Parliament.

So what happens next for those that fail to hold on to their place in Parliament? What mechanisms are in place to help former MPs get used to a life out of the Commons?