Dec 2009 10

MPs' expenses rolling blog7

It's that time again – the new MPs' expenses receipts have been released. Below is a rolling blog of interesting, bizarre and outrageous claims that we intend to update throughout the day. There are loads of claim forms online to look through, so your help would be much appreciated.

You can find the expenses details for each MP here. The two relevant, new documents for each MP are those titled "Additional Costs Allowance 2008-09" and "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-10". Do have a look through as many MPs as you can spare time to do, and let us know of anything interesting that you turn up in the comments below by reporting the item, the page number and the link to the relevant document.

Remember, the media and Uncle Tom Cobley and all will be looking at famous MPs, Ministers etc first, so you might find some of the juiciest and dodgiest claims in the files of obscure MPs you have never heard of!

Wacky, weird and woeful claims

  • Elliott Morley MP, famous for being one of the few people in human history to have "forgotten" the day that he paid off his mortgage and thus continuing to claim for it on expenses even after it had ended, clearly hasn't learned his lesson. In April this year, he claimed for a "Faithful Plastic Hawk" (pg 6), a trowel and cement. The mind boggles. UPDATE: Apparently, a "Plastic Hawk" is a plastering tool, rather than a pretend animal (hat-tip Paul Waugh). Doesn't it say everything about how low MPs' reputations have fallen that it was believable, though?
  • Cheryl Gillan MP has apparently claimed £225 in one year for ironing, and a selection of Sainsbury's finest fodder (page 3, here). Are getting your clothes ironed for you, or eating free Sainsbury's pork pies, raspberries, waldorf salad and gammon really essential in order to represent your constituents? She also cashed in the Nectar Points on her shopping, so at least she's getting value for money for someone…
  • David Crausby MP must have a fantastic view of the news coverage of MPs' expenses – back in February he claimed £799.99 for a swanky plasma TV, complete with cables and stand. No expense(s) spared! (page 70 here).
  • Sir Michael Spicer MP managed to bill £3,025 for redecoration works in his second house – although seeing as the invoice is actually made out to Lady Spicer, perhaps the bill doesn't just reflect his tastes. Remarkably, the work included "Internal decoration to wardrobes and cupboards". (Page 72 here)
  • John Butterfill MP trumped Sir Michael's revamp with a £5,836.25 new kitchen (Page 7 – 10 here)

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  • Kathryn

    I am DISGUSTED with some of our politicians. Some should be Jailed, for STEALING. We would have been. They seem able to virtually ‘get away with murder’. There are plenty of decent people in this country, unfortunately they arent politicians. This has gone on for years, but then information technology didnt exist. Now it does.
    I am well aware why they continue to stay in places of work with the government, its so thet can get a retirement pension from their ‘work as an MP’, its a VERY generous pension. Do they deserve it? I think not

  • e b gingell

    in wales we have the severn crossing
    that is privte crossing and thay take many
    thousand,s of pounds a day but when it comes
    to doing winter maintenance on them who pays
    its us the tax pay.

  • Ron Atkinson

    It appears common for my MP Dari Taylor, among many, to claim the maximum of £400/month for food. This is a very generous figure and represents 3 square meals /day in the Westminster restaurant. I believe this figure to be way too generous and would like to see it reduced immediately. I also believe that very few MP’s actually eat 3 full meals/day and are using the allowance as a handy but profitable ‘top up’.

  • DavidC

    Quite interesting to note that my MP’s expenses have dramatically reduced since the public outcry on these thefts. He now claims the actual figures for his second home utility costs amounting to around £60 a month, as he has to show his bills. Previously he was claiming a rounded figure of £125 a month, with no invoices shown. By my estimation this thief should pay back a minimum of £3500 for the previous years. Will he repay it?.. I won’t hold my breath.

  • Ron

    I have a very simple solution to this problem. Though I had a lot of respect for my local MP as he stood beside and helped my family in a difficult time.
    I will no longer vote for any of the three main parties, REMEMBER, They were ALL guilty of stealing from us and still are.
    I will vote in future for a minority party, UKIP, Green or even BNP if that’s all there is. This is the ONLY way to show them our disgust and will bring about an immediate change of attitude.

  • vernon wood

    Colin Burgon (Elmet MP) has, like 100s of his buddies, claimed £250 “Miscellaneous Expenses” every month, with no need for receipts or explanation. That’s £6000 a year tax free bunce – more than my OAPension. Oddly, he failed to claim for food until Dec 2008…on a diet Colin ? Since when he’s made up for it at £250 a month…double what 2 of us spend. Happy early retirement Colin.

  • david burn

    at the next election these people muet reap what they have sowed,the dole for as many as possible,we have the power …. wonder how many of them will then end up on the benefit cheats advert……????