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| MPs' expenses rise to record high | MPs' expenses rise to record high |
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| The bill for politicians is higher than it was before the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal, with claims of almost £100m last year, official figures show. | The bill for politicians is higher than it was before the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal, with claims of almost £100m last year, official figures show. |
| The total cost of travel, accommodation and running the offices of MPs rose by 10%, which is thought to be a record for claims by politicians in a single year. | The total cost of travel, accommodation and running the offices of MPs rose by 10%, which is thought to be a record for claims by politicians in a single year. |
| Figures from the expenses watchdog show the overall bill for 2012-13 was £98.1m, taking it above the previous high of £95.6m claimed in 2008-09. The expenses scandal of that year sparked outrage as some politicians claimed for trivial items and played the system to get taxpayer cash for furnishing two homes. | Figures from the expenses watchdog show the overall bill for 2012-13 was £98.1m, taking it above the previous high of £95.6m claimed in 2008-09. The expenses scandal of that year sparked outrage as some politicians claimed for trivial items and played the system to get taxpayer cash for furnishing two homes. |
| After the scandal broke, MP's claims fell to £90.7m as parliament brought in an independent watchdog to keep down the bill. | After the scandal broke, MP's claims fell to £90.7m as parliament brought in an independent watchdog to keep down the bill. |
| The independent parliamentary standards authority said the cost to taxpayers was higher this year because MPs were allowed higher staffing budgets. The watchdog said it had helped save a total of more than £35m over the last four years by keeping tighter control of parliamentary expenses. | The independent parliamentary standards authority said the cost to taxpayers was higher this year because MPs were allowed higher staffing budgets. The watchdog said it had helped save a total of more than £35m over the last four years by keeping tighter control of parliamentary expenses. |
| Over the last year, David Cameron got £121,872.97, which was mostly spent on running his office. In parliamentary expenses he claimed just £282.55, including 10 claims for train travel, one for a taxi journey, and one mileage claim on behalf of a secretary. | Over the last year, David Cameron got £121,872.97, which was mostly spent on running his office. In parliamentary expenses he claimed just £282.55, including 10 claims for train travel, one for a taxi journey, and one mileage claim on behalf of a secretary. |
| Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, claimed slightly more at £136,115.71, with the vast majority on staffing and office costs. He also claimed £10,508.08 in parliamentary expenses, including £9,340.18 on accommodation and bills, plus £1,167.90 on travel. | Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, claimed slightly more at £136,115.71, with the vast majority on staffing and office costs. He also claimed £10,508.08 in parliamentary expenses, including £9,340.18 on accommodation and bills, plus £1,167.90 on travel. |
| Claims made by Nick Clegg were even higher at £152,553.82, again with most going towards the running of the deputy prime minister's office. The Liberal Democrat leader received £12,688.01 in expenses, including £9,767.41 for accommodation and bills, and £2,920.60 for travel and subsistence. Within that, he claimed for a £145.50 television licence and five first-class train journeys. | Claims made by Nick Clegg were even higher at £152,553.82, again with most going towards the running of the deputy prime minister's office. The Liberal Democrat leader received £12,688.01 in expenses, including £9,767.41 for accommodation and bills, and £2,920.60 for travel and subsistence. Within that, he claimed for a £145.50 television licence and five first-class train journeys. |
| The largest claims excluding payroll costs were from Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist MP for North Antrim, at £100,204; and Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, at £82,878 – reflecting high travel costs from their constituencies. The next highest were those of David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, who claimed £75,902; and Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, who claimed £74,615. | The largest claims excluding payroll costs were from Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist MP for North Antrim, at £100,204; and Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, at £82,878 – reflecting high travel costs from their constituencies. The next highest were those of David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, who claimed £75,902; and Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, who claimed £74,615. |
| Zac Goldsmith, the multi-millionaire Tory MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, made no claims at all, while the business minister and Conservative MP for Sevenoaks, Michael Fallon, claimed just £38.74. Adam Afriyie, another wealthy businessman and Conservative MP for Windsor, claimed £604.20. | Zac Goldsmith, the multi-millionaire Tory MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, made no claims at all, while the business minister and Conservative MP for Sevenoaks, Michael Fallon, claimed just £38.74. Adam Afriyie, another wealthy businessman and Conservative MP for Windsor, claimed £604.20. |
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