Your MPs' expense claims revealed

Published on Friday 19 June 2009 10:04

THE row over MPs' expenses has sparked unprecedented anger among voters at the behaviour of their elected representatives.

The fury has been fed by a daily drip of information, revealing how politicians have been spending the huge sums of money they claim from the public purse.

Over the past month, MPs have been exposed for claiming for moats, duck islands, swimming pools, interior designers, Aga servicing, tree planting and mortgages which have already been paid off.

But only now has the House of Commons officially released the receipts behind the millions of pounds claimed by MPs every year.

In total there are more than one million documents available for public perusal, contained in PDF files accessible via the Parliament.uk website.

They cover MPs' claims between 2004-5 and 2007-8 under various categories including the 24,000-a-year Additional Costs Allowance, which reimburses MPs for second home costs; the 22,000 Incidental Expenses Provision, which pays for running an office; and the 10,400 Communications Allowance, which covers the cost of newsletters and websites.

However, many details have been blacked out. There are no addresses for MPs' homes, no destinations on travel tickets and correspondence between MPs and the Commons Fees Office has also been removed.

Publication of the documents follows a four-year legal battle by freedom of information advocates.

The Commons authorities spent more than 140,000 in an unsuccessful bid to avoid revealing details of expenses, before finally being defeated in the High Court in May last year.

The process of scanning and editing all the receipts has cost a further 2 million, and taken 13 months to complete.

The Commons says work has now begun on preparing data from 2008-9 for release.

GAVIN STRANG

Lab - Edinburgh East

04/05 114,023

05/06 128,247

06/07 137,769

07/08 157,571

Total: 537,610

ON THE face of it, Gavin Strang appears to be among Westminster's more frugal members, with relatively modest expense claims.

The MP for Edinburgh East, who has rented the same Westminster flat for more than 30 years, made monthly claims for living expenses ranging between 800 and 1,100.

However, he did regularly claim for 400 a month in food expenses, the maximum available to MPs.

In recent months, he has claimed 381 a month for rent, as well as money for utilities and phone bills.

Among his other expenses were regular claims for adverts placed in local newspapers to highlight upcoming surgeries and for money spent on office supplies and the service of an accountant.

He also claimed for a digital radio worth 74.99 in 2006 and 5,500 spent on producing 50,000 "constituency reports".

Other claims include money spent on renting an office for constituency work.

A former scientist with the Animal Breeding Research Organisation in Edinburgh, Dr Strang was elected MP for Edinburgh East in June 1970.

He previously criticised other MPs who had used expenses to "build up a property empire" and said the public had the right to be "shocked" and "angry" by the whole affair.

His claims include the council tax for his London property under the second homes allowance.

Dr Strang announced some time ago that he would be retiring at the next General Election.

Labour has chosen former councillor Sheila Gilmore to replace him and, as a new candidate, she is exempt from the expenses scandal.

NIGEL GRIFFITHS

Lab - Edinburgh South

04/05 149,551

05/06 153,570

06/07 154,182

07/08 158,067

Total: 615,370

A HOOVER, an air purifier and anti-allergen bedding were among the items Nigel Griffiths claimed for under his Commons expenses.

Receipts for 2007-8 – the most recent year published – show he claimed 178 for the vacuum cleaner, 584.85 for a new bed, 85 for towels, 150 for anti-allergen bedding and 53.94 for an air purifier.

The claims under the 2007-8 "additional cost allowance" – which covers MPs' second home costs – also feature a recurring 47 claim every month in the category "other" and where the form says "Please specify" the explanation has been blacked out.

The previous year's additional costs include 174 for a three-month subscription but the detail of what it was for is blacked out – although it is a short word, which may or may not be Sky.

There are several other instances where large amounts of information have been removed.

One invoice from a decorating firm dated October 2007 for 558.12 simply says: "The job at the above address has now been completed."

In March 2008, Mr Griffiths received a final notice from Edinburgh City Council for 46.62 for three lets for constituency advice sessions – but the address of the premises concerned is blacked out, even though it would have been publicised so constituents could attend.

Mr Griffiths appears to have spent over 1,000 on the window display at his constituency office, which includes a large picture of himself.

The receipts include one from September 2007 for 250 for "photographic portraiture re: Nigel's window" and another in November 2007 for 980 "to supply and fit window vinyls and graphics".

Bowdery & Company Ltd billed him 235 in January 2007 for "project consultancy and advisory support on the community awards programme".

DAVID HAMILTON

Lab - Midlothian

04/05 126,878

05/06 133,007

06/07 133,384

07/08 134,300

Total: 527,569

DAVID Hamilton seems to have been relatively untouched by the expenses scandal.

However, according to the Commons' documents, the Labour politician has made a number of claims for household items and repairs.

In October 2006 he claimed 185 for window furnishings, which was followed by a further 190 in December of that year for "repairs".

At the beginning of 2007 Mr Hamilton claimed 125 for repair work to the toilet floor, which was followed in March with a claim of 120 for repair work to the front door, and 199 for a bedside cabinet in April.

During the same year an investigation into faulty lighting and the subsequent repair work, cost taxpayers 85.

The MP submitted an expenses claim for 185 for repair work to the outside wall, the invoice for which was dated May 2007, and also claimed 110 for five door handles in June 2007.

Mr Hamilton went on to claim 50 for carpet upholstery cleaning in July 2007 and a further 195 for window repairs in August, before using taxpayers' money to fit and replace the bedroom radiator at a cost of 199 in September of that year. He also claimed 120 for wallpaper in December 2007.

The documents show that Mr Hamilton has claimed for items such as coffee and tissues, as well as electricity and BT bills. At the beginning of 2008 he claimed 130 for a cream leather chair and 180 for repair work to the front door.

Among the more unusual claims were two "really useful" boxes at a cost of 13.98, at the beginning of 2008.

Miscellaneous charges amounting to 2,482.30 were invoiced to Mr Hamilton by Document Management Services during the same year.

ALISTAIR DARLING

Lab - Edinburgh Central

04/05 117,639

05/06 139,105

06/07 136,854

07/08 151,904

Total: 545,502

DETAILS of Chancellor Alistair Darling's expense claims prove the man in charge of the nation's finances is careful with the pennies.

His "incidental expense" claims include 70p for a postage stamp and two 3 bus fares, duly supported by bus tickets with the route number and other details carefully blacked out.

He claimed for a 64p gluestick as part of an office supplies order, which also included three packets of Carex anti-bacterial soap for 6.87.

Other claims included a receipt for four bulbs costing 12 from Poundstretcher and 23.49 to Namesco Ltd for "domain name renew".

He also claimed 328.50 for bed linen, and there was a 390 bill from Grimebusters exterior hard surface cleaning service for "patio wash down, paint removing, window coating".

The files also include a reminder from the Rutland Square & Rutland Street Association, telling the Chancellor – whose constituency office is in Rutland Square – that he has not paid his 65 "annual assessment".

The letter warns: "The maintenance of the gardens is for all the proprietors and unless funds come in timeously we are unable to meet our expenses. It would be appreciated, therefore, if you would let me have your remittance by return."

But Mr Darling also proves his green credentials with regular bills from LEEP Recycling. A typical one from March 2008 was for 23 for uplifting nine bags of paper and two bundles of cardboard for recycling.

A fee note from accountants Chiene & Tait dated February 2008 spells out the tax advice they gave Mr Darling, which sparked controversy when it was revealed last month. They charged him 763.75 for "taxation advice and services for the year ended 5 April, 2007 in connection with your duties as MP, Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of Transport".

JIM DEVINE

Lab - Livingston

04/05 N/A

05/06 92,297

06/07 163,402

07/08 169,133

Total: 424,832

JIM Devine's claims include two for what appear to be Remembrance Day wreaths.

In December 2007, he claimed 22.75 for items provided by the Lady Haig Poppy Factory, although the details of exactly what was claimed for have been blacked out. There was also a claim for 26.90 paid to the charity in 2006, and a further 25 was billed to the public purse in 2006 for a wreath to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.

The claims all appear to have been paid despite a ban on claiming for Remembrance Day wreaths imposed in 2004.

The Livingston MP has already been damaged by the expenses scandal after being deselected by Labour.

It came after he apparently submitted a claim for rewiring his London flat which bore a bogus VAT number and the name of a company which did not exist. Questions were also raised about billing the public for shelving work said to have been carried out by the landlord of his local pub, apparently in a shed behind the licensed premises.

The paperwork accompanying his claims include a summons for the non-payment of 615 of council tax.

A former health union official, Mr Devine was elected MP for Livingston in 2005 following the death of Robin Cook.

Mr Devine's allowances show that, between early 2007 and March 2008, he regularly claimed about 1,500 a month in living expenses. The figure was usually made up of about 880 in mortgage payments and a further 400 for food, the maximum sum available.

In August 2007, he claimed 938 for two "mink" coloured three-piece suites.

There were also regular claims for payments to the Life MaidEasy cleaning company.

JOHN BARRETT

Lib Dem - Edinburgh West

04/05 133,185

05/06 126,343

06/07 144,427

07/08 154,441

Total: 558,396

Mr Barrett's expenses include rent of 1,615.25 per month for his second home in 2007-8 and 749.84 for council tax.

Cleaning expenses during the same year ranged from 80 a month to 140. His monthly claims for food were in the region of 300.

In August 2006 he claimed 949 for a leather sofa. The previous month, on moving into a new second home, he claimed 88.13 for a tenancy agreement fee, 23.50 for a credit reference fee, and 88.13 for a "check in fee".

Assorted household goods bought that September included a pillow at 15 and pillowcase at 16.

His office rent was 1,510.92 every two months, but the premises appear to have an infestation, with Mr Barrett also claiming for a mouse eradication contract with Rentokil, at 139.24 a quarter for eight visits a year.

On 5 February 2008, 204.45 was claimed for two roller blinds, and 352.50 was paid for coverings on the office windows and glass door.

He bought office equipment in Ikea on 17 February 2008 for 235.14, including shelving, cutlery worth 4.99 and a doormat for 49p.

Office costs also included 2,400 spent on postage stamps on 19 February 2008, the production of an annual report for 1,368 on 1 August 2007 and some "How to contact your MP" leaflets at 380.

A 1,433.15 bill for office redecoration in March 2006 included 164.85 to redecorate the bathroom.

Invoices for office equipment from Banner Business Supplies range from a single black ballpoint pen worth 35p to a leather armchair costing 305.50.

Mr Barrett also claimed for two cheap day returns bought using a young person's railcard with South West Trains, which cost 28.85 each – destination unknown.

MICHAEL CONNARTY

Lab - Linlithgow/Falkirk East

04/05 140,378

05/06 151,854

06/07 157,769

07/08 183,466

Total: 633,467

MICHAEL Connarty's expenses show his fondness for shopping at John Lewis.

The Linlithgow and Falkirk East MP has already come under fire for splashing out 250 of taxpayers' money on a radio alarm clock. Now it can be revealed he also claimed public money for items such as toilet roll and organic coffee.

The alarm clock was one of 15 household items the MP claimed for between 1 February and 31 March 2007, worth 2,181.65. These include 230 for bedding, a 228.95 digital radio, kitchen knives, a kettle and a set of scales worth 178.95 – all from John Lewis – as well as a Bose iPod dock at 211.91, and 191.49 headphones.

Last month the Evening News reported that Mr Connarty had racked up the 2,181.65 in claims while sharing a flat owned by Glasgow South West Labour MP, Ian Davidson, for their designated second homes.

In 2007-8, he also submitted a claim for 1,398 for a plasma TV and stand – of which the fees office is understood to have paid 750 – and a 99 claim for a "luxury briefcase" from Marks & Spencer. He also claimed 349 for a satnav for his car.

In March last year Mr Connarty claimed 4,794.39 under the category "Royal Mail", but further information was blanked out on the Commons' documents.

Between 1 September and 31 October 2007, 4,607.80 was claimed under the category "mortgage payments (interest only) or rent".

ANNE MOFFAT

Lab - East Lothian

04/05 144,246

05/06 148,072

06/07 136,483

07/08 168,255

Total: 595,256

HER travel costs of 39,744 were the highest of any MP in 2003-4, but Anne Moffat has also claimed a considerable amount for household items over the last four years.

A 550 black leather sofa and plasma television and stand which, including delivery, amounted to 751.98, are among the high-value items for which she claimed.

She also invoiced the House of Commons fees office for 20 in September 2007 for what appears to be a payment to the Poppy Appeal. The only explanation offered for the expenditure is the word "poppy".

Ms Moffat has also made regular claims for 250 in petty cash, but the forms do not make clear what the money was used for.

Her claims are heavily edited, leaving many questions unanswered.

In April 2007, she claimed for 2,000 under "expenditure type category five", but the information underneath is blanked out.

In April 2006, Ms Moffat claimed 1,825 for decorating at an address which has been blanked out in the documents. This included the lounge, two bedrooms, the hallway and kitchen. She spent a further 1,000 on a bed and mattress in the following month.

Ms Moffat claimed 1,850 in May 2007 for the supply and fitting of a washing machine and shower door, as well as the removal of the kitchen unit to make way for the washing machine.

She was also invoiced for a total of 2,300 in February 2008 for the supply and fitting of a new boiler and shower tray, as well as the supply and laying of a new floor in the bathroom and kitchen.

Other items claimed for included BT and mobile phone bills, Sky Digital and stationery. In October 2007, she spent 1,150.41 on "surgery notice cards" and the following month 1,874.13 was spent on 42,000 "reply cards".

MARK LAZAROWICZ

Lab - Edinburgh North/Leith

04/05 130,000

05/06 137,360

06/07 145,184

07/08 165,171

Total: 577,715

REGULAR claims for Tetley tea bags and 22.42 spent on a name badge were among the allowances claimed by Mr Lazarowicz.

He regularly claimed for 6.65 packets of Tetley, containing 440 teabags, as part of an order for office supplies. He also claimed for a 11.22 tin of Nescafe Gold Blend coffee on at least one occasion.

In 2006 he claimed for a "durable pin name badge" which he bought from office supply company Banner.

As well as claims for mortgage payments and for utilities, Mr Lazarowicz also claimed 1,399 for a laptop computer and a further 169 for a printer from department store John Lewis.

Last month Mr Lazarowicz became the first in the Lothians to publish a full breakdown of his expenses.

The Labour MP said he had claimed 74,000 in the past four years and decided to hand back over 2,500 – half the cost of legal fees for extending the lease on his London flat – because he said it "looked high".

He later said he may have "overreacted" by returning the cash, with the "hysterical atmosphere in Westminster" leading to his decision, but eventually vowed to stick with it.

He claimed just over 59,000 in mortgage interest payments over the period, just over 1,000 for food, 1,889 for internal repainting; 370 for a fridge/freezer when the old one broke; 934 for window repairs and replacing a sink; and 530 for a path repair.

He said he had a mortgage of around 227,000, which reflected the high cost of property in London, but had renegotiated it when he extended the lease and the interest payments for the current year were now around 164 a month. "That's 40 a week – you wouldn't get a B&B for one night for that," he said.