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New MPs' expenses claims revealed New MPs' expenses claims revealed
(10 minutes later)
The latest details of expenses claimed by MPs under the controversial second homes allowance have been published.The latest details of expenses claimed by MPs under the controversial second homes allowance have been published.
Hundreds of thousands of receipts from claims made by MPs from April 2008 to June 2009 have been published.Hundreds of thousands of receipts from claims made by MPs from April 2008 to June 2009 have been published.
The claims have not been as heavily blacked out as the previous years' receipts published in June. The claims have not been as heavily blacked out as the previous years' receipts published earlier this year.
The receipts show ex-home secretary Jacqui Smith claimed a £555 TV, while moat claim MP Douglas Hogg claimed for a £20 toaster and £2.99 rubbish bags.The receipts show ex-home secretary Jacqui Smith claimed a £555 TV, while moat claim MP Douglas Hogg claimed for a £20 toaster and £2.99 rubbish bags.
WHERE TO FIND THE DOCUMENTS The documents are published on Parliament's website Each MP's expenses dating back to 2004 are gathered together by nameThe new documents are headed "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-2010" and "Additional Cost Allowance 2008-09" Guide to the new documentsWHERE TO FIND THE DOCUMENTS The documents are published on Parliament's website Each MP's expenses dating back to 2004 are gathered together by nameThe new documents are headed "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-2010" and "Additional Cost Allowance 2008-09" Guide to the new documents
Mr Hogg, along with Labour MP Keith Vaz, is also among the list of MPs who changed the designation of their second home for allowance purposes.Mr Hogg, along with Labour MP Keith Vaz, is also among the list of MPs who changed the designation of their second home for allowance purposes.
Simply changing second home designation breaks no rules, and the MPs have not yet had a chance to comment.Simply changing second home designation breaks no rules, and the MPs have not yet had a chance to comment.
Other receipts include a council tax reminder received by Foreign Secretary David Miliband for £64.44.Other receipts include a council tax reminder received by Foreign Secretary David Miliband for £64.44.
Commons Speaker John Bercow claimed £22,465.49 in second home allowances in 2008-9 for mortgage interest, council tax, gas, electricity and cleaning.Commons Speaker John Bercow claimed £22,465.49 in second home allowances in 2008-9 for mortgage interest, council tax, gas, electricity and cleaning.
Second homeSecond home
There is just one claim from him for the first quarter of 2009-10 which is £500 for utilities.There is just one claim from him for the first quarter of 2009-10 which is £500 for utilities.
Mr Bercow said he would no longer claim the allowance once he was elected Speaker - a job which comes with a grand apartment in Parliament - in June.Mr Bercow said he would no longer claim the allowance once he was elected Speaker - a job which comes with a grand apartment in Parliament - in June.
Other details revealed include Prime Minister Gordon Brown claiming £500 for the repainting of a "summer house" in his garden. Downing Street said the PM has already repaid the money.Other details revealed include Prime Minister Gordon Brown claiming £500 for the repainting of a "summer house" in his garden. Downing Street said the PM has already repaid the money.
Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £20,240.15 in 2008/09 and £3,066.91 for the period covered in 2009/10.Conservative leader David Cameron claimed £20,240.15 in 2008/09 and £3,066.91 for the period covered in 2009/10.
There is also a note from a gardener to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.There is also a note from a gardener to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.
"My plan of attack this year will start with weeding the front garden and big bush which is overgrown. I will have to poison the big holly or it just keeps coming," the note says."My plan of attack this year will start with weeding the front garden and big bush which is overgrown. I will have to poison the big holly or it just keeps coming," the note says.
Mr Clegg claimed £760 for the repair of a garden path but has said he would pay back any profit he makes on his constituency home when he sells it.Mr Clegg claimed £760 for the repair of a garden path but has said he would pay back any profit he makes on his constituency home when he sells it.
The period covered by the latest receipts came at a time when MPs knew that at least some details of their expenses claims were to be published under Freedom of Information rules.The period covered by the latest receipts came at a time when MPs knew that at least some details of their expenses claims were to be published under Freedom of Information rules.
But the vast majority of them predate the uproar over expenses prompted by the leaked details of claims since 2004 published by the Daily Telegraph in May.But the vast majority of them predate the uproar over expenses prompted by the leaked details of claims since 2004 published by the Daily Telegraph in May.
Those revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.Those revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.
There was also an audit of all claims since 2004 carried out by Sir Thomas Legg, which is in the process of deciding how much MPs should pay back from the money claimed.There was also an audit of all claims since 2004 carried out by Sir Thomas Legg, which is in the process of deciding how much MPs should pay back from the money claimed.
Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, have already agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds from the claims since 2004.Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, have already agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds from the claims since 2004.
MPs from outside of central London were entitled to claim up to £24,006 in 2008/9 for the cost of having a second home - for things like mortgages interest payments and utility bills, but also for things like a second set of cutlery or televisions and furniture.MPs from outside of central London were entitled to claim up to £24,006 in 2008/9 for the cost of having a second home - for things like mortgages interest payments and utility bills, but also for things like a second set of cutlery or televisions and furniture.
A second home was deemed necessary because MPs have to attend Parliament at Westminster but also live in, or have a base in, their constituency.A second home was deemed necessary because MPs have to attend Parliament at Westminster but also live in, or have a base in, their constituency.
All MPs had to sign a declaration with every claim to the effect that "I confirm that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily to enable me to stay overnight away from my only or main home for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament".All MPs had to sign a declaration with every claim to the effect that "I confirm that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily to enable me to stay overnight away from my only or main home for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament".


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