Introduction

I have always believed that expenses and allowances claimed by Members of Parliament should be available for public scrutiny. Whenever possible, I have voted in the Commons for complete openness. Details of expenses I incur in my role as an MP have been published on my website for some time.

On this page I publish two tables of expenses claimed, together with allowances not claimed. The first shows those associated with domestic arrangements - that is, having to live in both in Leicester and London. The second shows normal office/business expenses claimed.


Notes

My main home is in the heart of my constituency, where I have lived with my family for over 30 years. I make no claims for this home.

Whilst in London I live in a flat within walking distance of Westminster.

For the first few weeks as an MP I tried to commute to London but it wasn’t possible – with late nights and early mornings.

After my first year as an MP in 2005 of hotels and renting, I chose to buy a flat. I bought the flat in the summer of 2006 with a fixed rate mortgage from Cheltenham and Gloucester. In order to afford to do that I used the allowance towards the costs of the transaction - mostly solicitors and stamp duty - but then later in the year offset this by paying the mortgage interest and other costs from my own salary.

When setting up the new flat I considered what might be seen as a reasonable contribution from the allowance for furnishing and equipment. I deliberately decided to set myself a limit of no more that 10% of the allowance in the first year only. Beyond that figure, and in all subsequent years, I took the view that it was right that I myself met the costs of household equipment and furniture. In the event I spent £2,038 from the allowance - slightly less than my self-imposed 10% budget and only a small part of the total cost of equipping the flat.

My telephone bill in the London flat in the first year included internet access. It was reduced in subsequent years when I discovered that this can be met as part of the House of Commons system.

In the last year I have only claimed for part of the interest on the fixed rate mortgage on the flat. The remainder of the interest and all other costs are met from my salary.

As a matter of policy I have never made claims for food, decoration, gardening or maintenance.

I have no other employment.

I have never submitted a single claim without a receipt.