Huddersfield area MPs on expenses disgrace - plus what they can claim

May 13 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

JUST what can our MPs claim?

Their expenses fall into several categories.

SECOND HOMES: @

The "additional costs allowance", worth up to £24,006 in 2008/9 for MPs representing seats outside central London. It covers things like mortgage interest payments on second homes and utility bills.

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES: @

MPs are paid an annual salary of £63,291 and receive allowances for the costs of running an office, having homes both near Westminster and in their constituency, and travelling between both.

TRAVEL EXPENSES: @

There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses MPs can claim - but it is subject to certain rules. They can claim business class air fares and first class rail travel for Parliamentary business within the UK and up to three visits a year to European institutions, as well as up to 30 single journeys a year for spouses or children.

MILEAGE: @

Drivers can claim 40p a mile for the first 10,000 miles and then subsequently 25p a mile.

INCIDENTAL EXPENSES ALLOWANCE: @

Worth up to £22,193, this allowance is aimed at costs incurred in the course of an MP’s duty - such as accommodation costs, office equipment and supplies.

STAFFING ALLOWANCE: @

Worth up to £100,205 a year, this allows MPs to employ staff, but is paid directly to staff by the Commons finance department. There is no ban on MPs employing their spouse or other relatives.

STATIONERY: @

There is no limit to the amount of stationery an MP can order but it must be used for strictly Parliamentary purposes, such as constituency correspondence.

WINDING UP ALLOWANCE @

Worth a maximum of £40,799, this allowance is paid to cover costs of any work on Parliamentary business done on behalf of an MP who has died, retired or lost their seat.

IT EQUIPMENT: @

IT equipment is centrally provided and maintained.

COMMUNICATIONS ALLOWANCE: @

Introduced in 2007 it allows claims of up to £10,400 a year "to assist in the work of communicating with the public on parliamentary business".

RESETTLEMENT ALLOWANCE: @

Paid to MPs who lose their seat or stand down at a general election – it is based on their age and length of service and amounts to between 50% and 100% of their annual salary.

OUR MPs claimed an average of £159,027 over the past year.

Huddersfield’s Barry Sheerman, an MP for 30 years, claimed £160,353.

That included £23,083 to fund a flat in London.

He has a majority of 8,351.

Kali Mountford (Colne Valley), who is standing down next time around, has a majority of 1,501.

She was elected in 1997and last year claimed £160,015 including £23,083 additional expenses to stay in London near Westminster.

Dewsbury’s Shahid Malik is the newest of our local MPs. He was elected in May 2005 with a majority of 5,154.

He claimed £142,644 in the last list of expenses, including £23,083 for his London flat.