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MPs' £10,000 kitchens on expenses | MPs' £10,000 kitchens on expenses |
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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. |
Other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed. | Other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed. |
The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items. | The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items. |
Most MPs can claim items from the list up to a maximum of £23,000 a year. | Most MPs can claim items from the list up to a maximum of £23,000 a year. |
The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - came to light during a recent information tribunal. | The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - came to light during a recent information tribunal. |
'Going rate' | 'Going rate' |
It is used by Commons validation clerks for the Additional Costs Allowance but had not been made available to MPs. | It is used by Commons validation clerks for the Additional Costs Allowance but had not been made available to MPs. |
Commons resources chief Andrew Walker explained he was reluctant to publish it because if MPs saw what the maximum price allowed for items was, it would "become the going rate". | Commons resources chief Andrew Walker explained he was reluctant to publish it because if MPs saw what the maximum price allowed for items was, it would "become the going rate". |
ALLOWABLE CLAIMS New kitchen: £10,000New bathroom: £6,335Washing machine: £350Flooring: £35 per square metre In full: 'John Lewis list' | ALLOWABLE CLAIMS New kitchen: £10,000New bathroom: £6,335Washing machine: £350Flooring: £35 per square metre In full: 'John Lewis list' |
But on Thursday the list was published, following a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association. | But on Thursday the list was published, following a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association. |
Limits include £1,000 for a bed, £600 for a dining table, £550 for a fridge-freezer and £200 for a blender. | Limits include £1,000 for a bed, £600 for a dining table, £550 for a fridge-freezer and £200 for a blender. |
Dry cleaning for both clothes and household items is permitted "within reasonable limits" but "antique, luxury or premium-grade" furnishings are not allowed, nor are "extravagant or luxurious" items. | Dry cleaning for both clothes and household items is permitted "within reasonable limits" but "antique, luxury or premium-grade" furnishings are not allowed, nor are "extravagant or luxurious" items. |
The information tribunal has ordered the Commons to produce a detailed breakdown of claims under the Additional Costs Allowance - which can be claimed by all MPs who do not represent an inner London constituency. | The information tribunal has ordered the Commons to produce a detailed breakdown of claims under the Additional Costs Allowance - which can be claimed by all MPs who do not represent an inner London constituency. |
It followed a three-year Freedom of Information battle by two journalists and a campaigner, who wanted to see more details of what was being claimed. | It followed a three-year Freedom of Information battle by two journalists and a campaigner, who wanted to see more details of what was being claimed. |
The tribunal heard that MPs claim ACA to cover the costs of staying overnight away from their main home, including rent, hotel bills and mortgage interest payments. | The tribunal heard that MPs claim ACA to cover the costs of staying overnight away from their main home, including rent, hotel bills and mortgage interest payments. |
Each MP can claim about £23,000 a year and can submit claims of up to £400 a month for food, without a receipt. |