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| What you've spotted on expenses... | What you've spotted on expenses... |
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| Parliament has published all MPs expenses dating back four years, albeit with many bits blacked out for "security" or "privacy" reasons. Here, on a page being updated through the day, are some of the eye-catching new details you have spotted and emailed us about, and which we have put to MPs: | Parliament has published all MPs expenses dating back four years, albeit with many bits blacked out for "security" or "privacy" reasons. Here, on a page being updated through the day, are some of the eye-catching new details you have spotted and emailed us about, and which we have put to MPs: |
| GENERAL POINTS | |
| A huge number of you have been in touch to question your local MP's claims of up to £400 a month for food - which they were allowed until recently to do without submitting a receipt - and the claims for £250 a month in "petty cash" from the Incidental Expenses allowance. There have also been more specific things spotted - we have contacted all MPs below and include their response where we have one. | |
| ED DAVEY | ED DAVEY |
| The Lib Dem MP for Kingston and Surbiton, who is also the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, paid £7,345 towards the cost of a "maximailer" sorting machine. Paul, of New Malden, questioned whether this was reasonable use of funds. Mr Davey said he had paid 50% of the cost of the machine out of his own pocket, as it would be used for political purposes, rather than simply keeping in touch with his constituents and claimed the remainder on his Parliamentary communications allowance. He said the machine saved taxpayers money because it saved his staff time in stuffing envelopes and he had paid tax on it. "I don't know why more MPs don't do it," he said, adding: "If anybody thinks I have bought this machine for my own benefit they must be crackers." | The Lib Dem MP for Kingston and Surbiton, who is also the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, paid £7,345 towards the cost of a "maximailer" sorting machine. Paul, of New Malden, questioned whether this was reasonable use of funds. Mr Davey said he had paid 50% of the cost of the machine out of his own pocket, as it would be used for political purposes, rather than simply keeping in touch with his constituents and claimed the remainder on his Parliamentary communications allowance. He said the machine saved taxpayers money because it saved his staff time in stuffing envelopes and he had paid tax on it. "I don't know why more MPs don't do it," he said, adding: "If anybody thinks I have bought this machine for my own benefit they must be crackers." |
| ED MILIBAND | ED MILIBAND |
| In 2005, Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband claimed £35.36 for recordings and pictures of himself in a Parliamentary debate. His office said the material was used in newsletters to keep his constituents informed about his work in the House. | In 2005, Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband claimed £35.36 for recordings and pictures of himself in a Parliamentary debate. His office said the material was used in newsletters to keep his constituents informed about his work in the House. |
| NIGEL EVANS | NIGEL EVANS |
| Mandeep queried Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans' mobile phone bills - in May 2006 it was £686 on one bill - and wants to know why he could not have obtained a cheaper call plan. Mr Evans is not alone in having claimed for large mobile phone bills but he said it was a "fair criticism". He added: "I probably could have got a better plan and that is something we will have to look at". But he said he had not benefited personally from it and the high costs were due to the fact that he was on the Council of Europe and had to pay "roaming charges" when journalists called him from the UK. He said he may switch his phone off in future and get his office to text him messages. Roaming charges were also starting to come down, he added. | |
| ANNE MAIN | ANNE MAIN |
| MPs' taxi bills have also come under the spotlight. Ed, of Hemel Hempstead, wanted to know how Anne Main, Conservative MP for St Albans, could justify a £68 taxi fare. Ms Main was not available for comment but her office said she was happy to address personally any concerns constituents had. | MPs' taxi bills have also come under the spotlight. Ed, of Hemel Hempstead, wanted to know how Anne Main, Conservative MP for St Albans, could justify a £68 taxi fare. Ms Main was not available for comment but her office said she was happy to address personally any concerns constituents had. |
| ANN COFFEY | ANN COFFEY |
| The Labour MP for Stockport claimed twice in the same year for digital cameras - £199.95 for a Sony Cybershot in October 2007 and £169.99 for a Panasonic digital camera and associated equipment about three months later. Ms Coffey said she lost the first camera and she needed to take pictures for her constituency newsletter. | The Labour MP for Stockport claimed twice in the same year for digital cameras - £199.95 for a Sony Cybershot in October 2007 and £169.99 for a Panasonic digital camera and associated equipment about three months later. Ms Coffey said she lost the first camera and she needed to take pictures for her constituency newsletter. |
| MARTIN SALTER | MARTIN SALTER |
| Justin, from Reading, wanted to know why his MP, Labour's Martin Salter, appeared to have claimed for a £4.99 Toblerone bar. Mr Salter said the item had been a free gift from a supplier and he had not claimed taxpayers' money for it. | Justin, from Reading, wanted to know why his MP, Labour's Martin Salter, appeared to have claimed for a £4.99 Toblerone bar. Mr Salter said the item had been a free gift from a supplier and he had not claimed taxpayers' money for it. |
| GEORGE OSBORNE | GEORGE OSBORNE |
| In 2005, the Conservative shadow chancellor claimed £47 for two copies of a DVD of his own speech on 'Value for Taxpayers Money'. A spokesman for Mr Osborne said: "Four years ago George received a request from a member of the public for a video copy of the speech which he obtained through the House of Commons broadcasting unit." | In 2005, the Conservative shadow chancellor claimed £47 for two copies of a DVD of his own speech on 'Value for Taxpayers Money'. A spokesman for Mr Osborne said: "Four years ago George received a request from a member of the public for a video copy of the speech which he obtained through the House of Commons broadcasting unit." |
| GRAHAM BRADY | GRAHAM BRADY |
| The Kevin, from Altrincham, spotted a £10 claim by Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West for a "milk frother" in 2007/08 and, on the same receipt, £21 for a black toilet roll holder. Mr Brady has yet to respond. | The Kevin, from Altrincham, spotted a £10 claim by Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West for a "milk frother" in 2007/08 and, on the same receipt, £21 for a black toilet roll holder. Mr Brady has yet to respond. |
| MARIA MILLER | MARIA MILLER |
| The Conservative MP for Basingstoke was paid £154.61 for books in February 2008. The invoices she submitted from Amazon list political titles, including books on Tony Blair such as Blair Unbound, Blair's Britain. One receipt also shows children's books, including Vikings Don't Wear Pants: Potty Poems of the Past, but Ms Miller has categorically denied claiming for these, saying she was only reimbursed for books connected with her political work. | The Conservative MP for Basingstoke was paid £154.61 for books in February 2008. The invoices she submitted from Amazon list political titles, including books on Tony Blair such as Blair Unbound, Blair's Britain. One receipt also shows children's books, including Vikings Don't Wear Pants: Potty Poems of the Past, but Ms Miller has categorically denied claiming for these, saying she was only reimbursed for books connected with her political work. |
| DAVID HANSON | DAVID HANSON |
| In 2007, the Labour MP for Delyn claimed £100 from his communications allowance to sponsor a match at a local football club Flint Town United. Mr Hanson said: "I was given the opportunity to promote my surgeries, which help hundreds of my constituents every year, and give out my contact details through a sponsorship package for Flint's local football team. The claim was cleared and put through via the communication allowance." | In 2007, the Labour MP for Delyn claimed £100 from his communications allowance to sponsor a match at a local football club Flint Town United. Mr Hanson said: "I was given the opportunity to promote my surgeries, which help hundreds of my constituents every year, and give out my contact details through a sponsorship package for Flint's local football team. The claim was cleared and put through via the communication allowance." |
| ERIC JOYCE | ERIC JOYCE |
| In November 2007, the Labour MP for Falkirk seems to have claimed £39.99 for a remembrance wreath. The claim is for Lady Hague Poppy Factory but there is a line through it, suggesting he may have since repaid the amount. In October 2007 there is a receipt for an Oil Painting on Canvas for £160. All details are redacted except the name of the company Art and More. In May 2007 Mr Joyce claimed £235 for an Assertiveness at Work training course. It is not clear whether this was for him or a member of his staff as the attendee name is blacked out. | In November 2007, the Labour MP for Falkirk seems to have claimed £39.99 for a remembrance wreath. The claim is for Lady Hague Poppy Factory but there is a line through it, suggesting he may have since repaid the amount. In October 2007 there is a receipt for an Oil Painting on Canvas for £160. All details are redacted except the name of the company Art and More. In May 2007 Mr Joyce claimed £235 for an Assertiveness at Work training course. It is not clear whether this was for him or a member of his staff as the attendee name is blacked out. |
| ANDREW MACKAY | ANDREW MACKAY |
| The Tory MP, who is standing down at the next election following revelations about his second home allowances in the Telegraph consistently claimed £250 per month (£3,000 over the year) for "petty cash". He also claimed over £200 for his annual subscriptions to the Spectator and the Economist. | The Tory MP, who is standing down at the next election following revelations about his second home allowances in the Telegraph consistently claimed £250 per month (£3,000 over the year) for "petty cash". He also claimed over £200 for his annual subscriptions to the Spectator and the Economist. |
| WHAT YOU WON'T HAVE SEEN | WHAT YOU WON'T HAVE SEEN |
| We know, thanks to the Daily Telegraph revelations, that Margaret Moran claimed £22,000 for dry rot on her second home. The receipts released with details blacked out do not show her second home was in Southampton -100 miles from her Luton constituency. There is also no mention of Sir Peter Viggers' attempts to claim £1,645 for a "duck island". | We know, thanks to the Daily Telegraph revelations, that Margaret Moran claimed £22,000 for dry rot on her second home. The receipts released with details blacked out do not show her second home was in Southampton -100 miles from her Luton constituency. There is also no mention of Sir Peter Viggers' attempts to claim £1,645 for a "duck island". |