John Barrett’s Allowances
MP allowances cover much more than expenses. 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.
Travel
Travelling between Edinburgh and London on a weekly basis while Parliament is sitting is a costly but necessary part of representing the constituents of West Edinburgh in Parliament and attending events and meeting constituents in Edinburgh.
I normally fly down to London on a Monday and return to Edinburgh on the Thursday. These flights are on flexible business tickets; these are not cheap, but allow for last minute changes to flights without losing the ticket cost. Given the flexible nature of working as an MP, last minute changes to travel arrangements are inevitable. Business tickets also mean that facilities are provided at the airport for working while waiting for flights.
There is a mileage allowance for using a private car on Parliamentary business within the constituency, but I do not normally claim this.
Accommodation
I rent a flat in central London where I stay during the week. This flat was unfurnished and costs were higher in 2001-2 as this included furnishing the flat.
Constituency office
Office costs include rent of the constituency office at Drum Brae Avenue, rates, heat, light, insurance telephones etc. I am supplied with office space at Westminster. I also have an office at home.
Staff
In 2007-08, the staff working in my Westminster and constituency offices are:
Westminster Office
Euan Robinson - Researcher and Parliamentary
Assistant
Hazel Haddon - Intern (Part time)
Constituency Office
Ewan Irvine - Senior Caseworker
Liz O'Malley - Assistant Caseworker (Part time)
Sarah Atsa - Constituency Assistant (Part time)
Beverley Hope - Constituency Assistant and Organiser
All staff are employed on contracts with the Departmant of Finance and Administration of the House of Commons and earn salaries within the recommended guidelines, based on their skills and experience. The staff salaries figure below includes tax and national insurance which is sent direct to the Inland Revenue.
IT and stationery
Some IT and stationery is purchased centrally and then charged to MPs. Computers are not purchased but supplied and maintained centrally. This equipment is the property of the Parliament.
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London living costs | £18,009 | £16,537 | £17,082 | £18,433 | £16,821 |
£22,110 |
| Office costs | £20,937 | £15,053 | £18,799 | £19,139 | £20,839 | £25,392 |
| Staff costs | £38,678 | £54,314 | £67,649 | £68,677 | £74,778 | £80,418 |
| Travel | £11,200 | £12,287 | £13,666 | £13,405 | £10,170 | £12,004 |
| Staff travel | £3,357 | £3,718 | £2,800 | £1,517 | £2,041 | £968 |
| Stationery/postage | £1,683 | £2,115 | £7,646* | £10,203 | £1,385 | £2,527 |
| Central IT provision | £1,502 | £1,811 | £1,811 | £1,811 | £309 | £1,008 |
*This figure includes the cost of postage for the first time. The 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 figures do not take the cost of postage into account.
What do each of these categories
mean?
London living costs: This is paid to reimburse MPs for necessary
costs incurred when staying overnight away from their main home for the purpose
of performing parliamentary duties.
Office costs: This is paid to meet the costs of accommodation
for office or surgery use; equipment and supplies for office or surgery; work
commissioned or other services; and certain travel and communications.
Staff salaries: This is paid to enable MPs to employ staff.
Travel: This is paid to meet the costs of MPs travel to and
from their constituency andWestminster.
Staff travel: This is paid to meet the costs of MPs' staff
travel to and from the constituency andWestminster.
Centrally Purchased Stationary: This includes stationery with
pre-paid postage for use in direct connection with a Member's parliamentary
duties; the House of Commons is charged separately for the associated postage
costs. The figures given for the MP for 2001-02 and 2002-03 do not include
any postage costs. The figures for 2003-04 includes the postage costs
for the MP.
Central IT provision: This is paid to cover the cost of equipment
supplied on loan to each Member, such as computers and printers.