Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

News

HEADLINES:

Allowance budget was £109.3m

Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent
26.05.09

MPs were set for a record £109million in expenses in the current year before being forced to curb claims.

Commons bosses had budgeted to pay out the sum for allowances equating to nearly £170,000 per MP.

However, the bill to the taxpayer is now expected to be significantly lower after the expenses scandal and agreed reforms to quell public outrage.

Some MPs facing fury from their constituents for putting in unjustifiable bills have vowed not to claim a penny more for second homes. Members claimed £93million in 2007/08, an average of just over £144,000 each. Commons chiefs had estimated the bill could hit £109.3million, including £7.4million for travel, in 2009/10 which would be a rise of just over £16million, or 17 per cent, in two years.

The funds are used for office costs, staff, second homes, travel, stationery, computers and other items.

Bromsgrove Conservative MP Julie Kirkbride faced new questions today after the Daily Telegraph reported that her brother, who lived rent-free at her taxpayer-funded second home, bought computer equipment worth £1,000 using public funds.

Her husband Andrew MacKay has already been forced to announce he will stand down as MP for Bracknell over his claims for a taxpayer-funded property after it emerged he did not have a proper second home.

Tory MP couple Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton have become the latest veteran Conservatives to announce they will step down at the next election.

They were found last year to have broken Commons rules by using tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to rent a London flat which they had put into a family trust after paying off the mortgage.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Alistair Darling is among several ministers facing questions over using public funds to pay for accountants.

Sorry, but we cannot display user comments at the moment.


Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.