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| MPs' expenses rise to almost £100m | |
| (10 days later) | |
| The bill for politicians is now nearly as high as 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%, taking it close to the record for claims by politicians in a single year. | |
| Figures from the expenses watchdog show the overall bill for 2012-13 was £98.1m, approaching the previous high of £102.3m 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, MPs' claims fell to £95.4m – or £88.5m excluding winding-up costs – as parliament brought in an independent watchdog to keep down the bill. | |
| The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) 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. |
| • This article was amended on 26 September 2013. The earlier version said this year's expenses figure of £98.1m was above the previous high of £95.6m claimed in 2008-09. Ipsa says the comparable figure for 2008-09, from an audited House of Commons report, is £102.3m; the £95.6m figure is not from an audited report and excludes some items, such as pensions for MPs' staff. The earlier version also said MPs' claims fell to £90.7m after the 2009 expenses scandal. Ipsa says the audited figures for 2010-11 total £95.4m, or £88.5m excluding winding-up costs (expenses associated with shutting down the offices of departing MPs, which peak in election years). The headline and subheading have also been amended to reflect the changes made. | |
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