Expenses

The Kelly Report

I welcome and back in full the recommendations of the Kelly Report into MPs Allowances and Expenses (Nov 2009). The report is comprehensive and offers a a large range of recommendations which I hope will be a significant first step into restoring trust in our political system.

The Kelly Report into MPs Expenses and Allowances Nov 2009.

Expenses and Allowances

I believe that constituents have a right to know exactly how much public money is given to me and how it is spent. In addition to their salaries, MPs receive allowances in respect of various items which broadly can be summarised as office costs, staff salary costs, travel costs and additional costs allowance. Although MPs expenses claims can appear huge, the largest part is taken up by staff wages, and in the case of MPs who represent large rural constituencies, travel costs.

Travel

My travel costs are higher than most MPs because living in Caithness and flying weekly from either Wick or Inverness is an expensive business. I usually use a hire car when I am travelling on constituency business and this is reimbursed when I submit the detailed travel mileage covering all of the journeys I undertake.

Accommodation (Additional Costs Allowance)

I rent a small one bedroom flat in London, approximately 20 minutes walk from Parliament for which I claim rent, utilities, council tax, etc.

Office Costs (Incidental Expenses Provision)

My office costs have always been quite low as I do not have an office in the constituency, operating my formal office in London and using a room in my home in Thurso when I am in the constituency. This allowance covers things such as phone bills, office equipment in addition to that which is centrally supplied, consumables and the hiring of halls within the constituency to hold regular clinics.

Communications Allowance

This allowance covers the costs of communicating with local residents, beyond simply replying to incoming correspondence. The content of such communications is approved by the House of Commons authorities before it is issued and must relate to Parliamentary matters. The majority of my claims are for the advertisements which I place in local papers to inform people of my advice clinics.

Staff

I employ two full-time staff at Westminster who both undertake all of the detailed work on constituency cases required for me to deal with the volume of work generated through my clinics and manage my diary. In addition I have a third employee who helps organise my work in the constituency. All staff costs are administered and paid directly to the staff by the House of Commons authorities. The staff salaries figure includes employer National Insurance contributions.

IT and Stationery

Some IT and stationery is purchased centrally and then charged to MPs. Computers are purchased but supplied and maintained centrally. This equipment is the property of Parliament.

Detailed allowances

Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure 2009-10.

Additional Cost Allowance 2008-09.

Additional Cost Allowance 2007-08.

Communication Allowance 2007-08.

Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff Allowance 2007-08.

Additional Cost Allowance 2006-07.

Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff Allowance 2006-07.

Additional Cost Allowance 2005-06.

Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff Allowance 2005-06.

Additional Cost Allowance 2004-05.

Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff Allowance 2004-05.