This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6089754.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| NI's MPs claim £2m in allowances | NI's MPs claim £2m in allowances |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Northern Ireland's 18 MPs claimed almost £2m in allowances last year, House of Commons figures have shown. | Northern Ireland's 18 MPs claimed almost £2m in allowances last year, House of Commons figures have shown. |
| The 2005/06 payments show that, on average, Northern Ireland's MPs claimed just over £104,000 each. | The 2005/06 payments show that, on average, Northern Ireland's MPs claimed just over £104,000 each. |
| The DUP's nine MPs claimed a total of just over £1.1m, while the SDLP's three representatives claimed £400,236. | The DUP's nine MPs claimed a total of just over £1.1m, while the SDLP's three representatives claimed £400,236. |
| Sinn Fein's five MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, claimed more than £200,000. Lady Sylvia Hermon, the UUP's only MP, claimed £122,333. | Sinn Fein's five MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, claimed more than £200,000. Lady Sylvia Hermon, the UUP's only MP, claimed £122,333. |
| Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP's MP for Lagan Valley, claimed the most in allowances with a figure of £152,722. | Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP's MP for Lagan Valley, claimed the most in allowances with a figure of £152,722. |
| Out of Northern Ireland's MPs who sit at Westminster, DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson claimed the least expenses with a figure of £96,389. | Out of Northern Ireland's MPs who sit at Westminster, DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson claimed the least expenses with a figure of £96,389. |
| MPs are paid a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension. Their allowances include office staffing costs and travel. | MPs are paid a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension. Their allowances include office staffing costs and travel. |
| The total cost of all of the UK MPs' expenses came to almost £86.8m, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year. | The total cost of all of the UK MPs' expenses came to almost £86.8m, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year. |
| Staff | Staff |
| The average UK expenses claim for 2005/06 came to about £131,000 per MP. | |
| Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff. | Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff. |
| Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment. | Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment. |
| MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament. | MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament. |