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MPs can claim £10,000 kitchens | MPs can claim £10,000 kitchens |
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MPs are allowed to claim expenses of up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, £2,000 for furniture and £750 for a TV or stereo for their second homes. | MPs are allowed to claim expenses of up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, £2,000 for furniture and £750 for a TV or stereo for their second homes. |
The figures are revealed in the so-called "John Lewis list", used by Commons officials to determine whether an expenditure claim is reasonable. | The figures are revealed in the so-called "John Lewis list", used by Commons officials to determine whether an expenditure claim is reasonable. |
MPs can claim about £23,000 a year each towards the cost of their second homes. | MPs can claim about £23,000 a year each towards the cost of their second homes. |
In February the Commons was ordered to release a breakdown of the claims under the Additional Costs Allowance. | In February the Commons was ordered to release a breakdown of the claims under the Additional Costs Allowance. |
It followed an Information Tribunal hearing at which Commons resources chief Andrew Walker revealed the existence of the list. | |
But he had resisted publishing the list, explaining that if MPs saw "what the maximum price we will allow for such an item is, it will become the going rate". | |
On Thursday the list was published, following a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association. | |
It shows MPs can claim up to £10,000 towards the cost of installing a new kitchen in their second homes, as well as more than £6,335 for a bathroom, £750 for a television or stereo, £300 air-conditioning units and £2,000 for furniture. |