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MPs' travel claims are revealed MPs' travel claims are revealed
(about 2 hours later)
MPs' travel expenses have been laid bare, following a two-year battle with the House of Commons authorities.MPs' travel expenses have been laid bare, following a two-year battle with the House of Commons authorities.
They published a detailed breakdown of figures after a campaign by Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who said the public ought to know how money was being spent.They published a detailed breakdown of figures after a campaign by Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who said the public ought to know how money was being spent.
Scottish MPs claimed the most, Labour MP for Falkirk Eric Joyce topped the list with £44,985 and Orkney's Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael claimed £38,750Scottish MPs claimed the most, Labour MP for Falkirk Eric Joyce topped the list with £44,985 and Orkney's Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael claimed £38,750
Overall MPs spent about £2m on driving, £1.5m on trains and £1m on flights.Overall MPs spent about £2m on driving, £1.5m on trains and £1m on flights.
Asked about his expenses and allowances last year, Mr Joyce said he would try to reduce his claims - which amounted to a total of £174,811.Asked about his expenses and allowances last year, Mr Joyce said he would try to reduce his claims - which amounted to a total of £174,811.
Expenses for Scottish MPs are different to other MPs, because of the geography and distance Eric Joyce MPExpenses for Scottish MPs are different to other MPs, because of the geography and distance Eric Joyce MP
He put the amount down to travelling between London and his constituency, and said he would review the number of meetings he travelled north to attend.He put the amount down to travelling between London and his constituency, and said he would review the number of meetings he travelled north to attend.
"Expenses for Scottish MPs are different to other MPs, because of the geography and distance," he said."Expenses for Scottish MPs are different to other MPs, because of the geography and distance," he said.
Car mileage claimCar mileage claim
MPs expenses and allowances claims rose nearly £6m in 2005-6, to £86.8m.MPs expenses and allowances claims rose nearly £6m in 2005-6, to £86.8m.
This is a good day for taxpayers Blair Gibbs,The Taxpayers' Alliance
The latest figures, which give a detailed breakdown of rail, air, car mileage and taxi hire, show £4.5m was spent on travel overall.The latest figures, which give a detailed breakdown of rail, air, car mileage and taxi hire, show £4.5m was spent on travel overall.
Blair Gibbs, of campaign group The Taxpayers' Alliance , told the BBC that now the figures were public, MPs should spend less on travel:
"This is a good day for taxpayers and long overdue we thin," he said.
"In principle it's good because it's our money they're spending, but also in practice better openness will hopefully... lead to smaller claims."
Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne spent £3,284 on car mileage - but only £176 on train tickets, even though his Hampshire constituency is commutable by rail.Lib Dem environment spokesman Chris Huhne spent £3,284 on car mileage - but only £176 on train tickets, even though his Hampshire constituency is commutable by rail.
He told the BBC he owned a more environmentally-friendly Toyota Prius, and often travels by rail but does not claim it back.He told the BBC he owned a more environmentally-friendly Toyota Prius, and often travels by rail but does not claim it back.
It's important that MPs who are professing an interest in the environment can be measured by their own performance Norman Baker MPIt's important that MPs who are professing an interest in the environment can be measured by their own performance Norman Baker MP
Labour MP Janet Anderson, who represents the Lancashire constituency of Rossendale and Darwen, made the biggest claim for car mileage at £16,612 - the equivalent of 60,448 miles in one year.Labour MP Janet Anderson, who represents the Lancashire constituency of Rossendale and Darwen, made the biggest claim for car mileage at £16,612 - the equivalent of 60,448 miles in one year.
Meanwhile Tory MP Mike Penning claimed £7,978 in car mileage, although his Hemel Hempstead constituency is less than 30 miles from London.Meanwhile Tory MP Mike Penning claimed £7,978 in car mileage, although his Hemel Hempstead constituency is less than 30 miles from London.
South Norfolk's Tory MP Richard Bacon claimed the biggest car hire and taxi bill at £5,685, but claimed no mileage.South Norfolk's Tory MP Richard Bacon claimed the biggest car hire and taxi bill at £5,685, but claimed no mileage.
Appeals lostAppeals lost
Labour's Diane Abbott, who represents the London constituency of Hackney North & Stoke Newington, claimed £2,235 in car hire and taxi fees.Labour's Diane Abbott, who represents the London constituency of Hackney North & Stoke Newington, claimed £2,235 in car hire and taxi fees.
The Commons authorities were forced to publish a detailed breakdown of the figures, rather than a combined figure, after Mr Baker's campaign.The Commons authorities were forced to publish a detailed breakdown of the figures, rather than a combined figure, after Mr Baker's campaign.
He told the BBC: "It's important that MPs who are professing an interest in the environment can be measured by their own performance.He told the BBC: "It's important that MPs who are professing an interest in the environment can be measured by their own performance.
"If MPs for example are saying that climate change is very important, yet are continually taking the plane, that's a matter their constituents ought to know about.""If MPs for example are saying that climate change is very important, yet are continually taking the plane, that's a matter their constituents ought to know about."
The Commons, which lost two appeals, had argued that revealing further details would breach data protection principles.The Commons, which lost two appeals, had argued that revealing further details would breach data protection principles.