For immediate release
The total cost of MPs was up 6.47 per cent last year to £127.6 million, according to figures released today by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
The average cost of an MP was £157,747 in the 2019-20 financial year, which included expenses claims for travel and food of around £6,903 for each member of parliament. A further £718,733 was spent on hotel claims as part of the MPs’ accommodation budget.
The current speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is Britain’s most expensive sitting MP. Last year his total business costs were £259,057, including £21,431 on travel and subsistence. The least expensive MP was Kim Johnson, elected last year for Liverpool Riverside, with total costs of just £7,392 up to April 2020.
Health secretary Matt Hancock was the most expensive MP in the cabinet, with total costs of £225,305. This was compared to £174,454 for prime minister Boris Johnson and £164,545 for Sir Keir Starmer.
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Key Findings:
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The total cost of members of parliament was £127.6m in the 2019-20 financial year. This was a 6.47 per cent increase on the £119.9 million spent in 2018-19.
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Britain’s most expensive sitting MP was speaker Lindsay Hoyle, with business costs of £259,057. Outside the speaker, the most expensive sitting MP was Lisa Cameron, spending £256,040.
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The average cost of an MP was £157,747 last year.
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Matt Hancock was the most expensive MP in the cabinet, with total costs of £225,305. This was compared to £174,454 for prime minister Boris Johnson and £164,545 for Sir Keir Starmer.
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Expenses for travel and subsistence claims cost the taxpayer a total of £5,584,790 in 2019-20, an average of £6,903 for each member of parliament.
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A total of £718,733 was spent on hotel claims as part of the MPs’ accommodation budget last year.
- The average wind-up costs for an MP leaving parliament was £54,438.
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John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"While MPs must have the resources to do their jobs, many taxpayers will be worried about the growing cost of politics.
“The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly the millions spent on travel and overnight expenses.
“With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, limiting their expenses claims where possible would be a welcome way for MPs to show that we’re all in it together.”
TPA spokesmen are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Danielle Boxall
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
- Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
- TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- The IPSA annual report and accounts for 2019-20 can be found here, with the full data available here.