MP Expenses 2010-2021
MPs’ pay and expenses are set by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). All Andrew’s itemised claims can be viewed via the IPSA website which is updated frequently: http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/
The summary below hopes to provide an insight into how Andrew has tried to minimise his expenses whilst still dealing with the thousands of enquires from Pendle residents he receives each year.
Travel
MPs are reimbursed for their travel to Westminster and for attending constituency functions.
There are 9 years’ worth of figures online for Pendle’s previous Labour MP’s travel claims, showing he claimed on average £11,953 per year. There are currently 11 years’ worth of figures online for Andrew. In his first year in Parliament Andrew claimed £4,447 (63% less), 2nd year £4,593 (62% less) 3rd year £6,195 (48% less), 4th year £6,127 (49% less), 5th year £6,437 (46% less), 6th year £7,544 (37% less), 7th year £7,988 (33% less), 8th year £8,789 (26% less), 9th year £9,085 (24% less), 10th year £6,800 (43% less) and 11th year £3,957 (67% less).
Therefore, since his election Andrew has claimed on average 45% less on travel than his Labour predecessor, despite increased rail fares. This represents a saving of over £55,000, over the past 11 years.
London Accommodation
MP’s who do not live within an hour’s commute of London are reimbursed for somewhere to stay in the capital. There are 9 years’ worth of figures online for Pendle’s previous Labour MP, showing he claimed on average £17,995 per year, mostly to pay the mortgage on his second home.
Andrew initially rented a three-bed flat in London which he shared with two other MPs and then rented a two bed flat he shared with one other MP. In his first year Andrew claimed £10,046 (44% less), 2nd year £10,831 (40% less), 3rd year £6,123 (66% less), 4th year £7,901 (56% less), 5th year £17,470 (3% less), 6th year £10,709 (40% less), 7th year zero, 8th year £5,962 (67% less), 9th year £5,150 (71% less), 10th year £5,270 (71% less) and in his 11th year £5,410 (70% less).
Therefore, since his election Andrew has claimed on average 57% less on accommodation than his Labour predecessor, despite very significant increases in the cost of accommodation in London. This represents a saving of over £110,000, over the past 11 years.
Office Running Costs (excluding staff wages)
MPs are reimbursed for the cost of running offices in Parliament and in the constituency. There are 8 years’ worth of figures on the theyworkforyou.com website for Pendle’s former Labour MP, who had an office in Parliament and an office in Nelson, showing he claimed on average £19,169 per year. Andrew has offices in Barnoldswick, Nelson and Parliament.
In his first year in Parliament Andrew claimed £12,663 (34% less), 2nd year £14,569 (24% less) 3rd year £18,196 (5% less), 4th year £22,025 (13% more), 5th year £23,244 (18% more), 6th year £23,130 (17% more), 7th year £23,450 (18% more), 8th year £22,920 (16% more), 9th year £24,743 (23% more), 10th year £23,037 (17% more) and in his 11th year £21,208 (10% more).
Therefore, since his election Andrew has claimed on average 9% more on office costs than his Labour predecessor. This represents an additional expense of around £18,000, over the past 11 years.
Andrew commented “When I was first standing for election in 2010 I said that I would only claim for what was necessary to do the job and not claim for things like food and drink, or a mortgage on a second home. Since my election whenever possible I have used off-peak trains, and I have not claimed a penny for things like food or drink. The MP Expenses scandal broke down trust between the public and MPs and I’m determined to restore that trust.”