Why do MPs get paid allowances or ‘expenses’ on top of their salaries?
Some people have asked me about the allowances or ‘expenses’ paid to MPs on top of their salaries. Because MPs run offices and employ staff, like any small business there are the running costs of a small office which must be paid.
Most costs are paid from the fees office in Parliament directly either to staff as salaries, to landlords for rent or to the travel office at Westminster to cover travel between Edinburgh and Westminster.
John in his Westminster office