Covering a period of 61 days Oct/Nov 2013, M.P.'s made 3,300 expenses claims.
Average 541 claims daily
Average total daily claim £73,300.
Total claim for period £4,5,000000
Source Independant Parlimentary Standards Association, via VoxPolitical
The other cost of living
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
The other cost of living
Cleverly disguised as an adult !
It's obviously a lot of money but then I do expect that running government is not a cheap thing to do. Travel back and forth to constituencies or accommodation while away from home on parliamentary duties plus overseas travel for those whose jobs take them there is not going to come cheap.
I know that from my expense claims (which are always for cheap economy flights and not very generous subsistence allowances).
So yes it might seem a lot but without a lot more information it's impossible to tell whether it's reasonable or not.
I know that from my expense claims (which are always for cheap economy flights and not very generous subsistence allowances).
So yes it might seem a lot but without a lot more information it's impossible to tell whether it's reasonable or not.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
How does 61 days times 73300 make 45 million?
Anyway there are 574 MPs with constituencies outside London so divide them into the 73k and you get £127 per man. If I had to stay in London to do business, my expenses would certainly be at least that figure if not more. A 3 star hotel averages £90 per night and you have to ass food and transport.
Anyway there are 574 MPs with constituencies outside London so divide them into the 73k and you get £127 per man. If I had to stay in London to do business, my expenses would certainly be at least that figure if not more. A 3 star hotel averages £90 per night and you have to ass food and transport.
The thing that annoys me is these people are paid to do a job. Their job includes lots of travelling. It's part of their job.
Why should they be able to claim back for what is essentially part of their job. They are paid to do the job and that is meant to cover their cost of living, just like a job in any other field of work does. And as we all know being an MP is hardly underpaid...
The problem is they view their pay packets as pure profit! they don't want to pay for anything out of their own pocket - they expect to be able to live off expenses and their pay packet goes to....who knows where.
We're all in it together.
Why should they be able to claim back for what is essentially part of their job. They are paid to do the job and that is meant to cover their cost of living, just like a job in any other field of work does. And as we all know being an MP is hardly underpaid...
The problem is they view their pay packets as pure profit! they don't want to pay for anything out of their own pocket - they expect to be able to live off expenses and their pay packet goes to....who knows where.
We're all in it together.
No, sorry Dale but you've got it completely wrong. In any job where you travel on business, the business pays the costs. There will be limits to what you can claim but this is normal practice.
I certainly could not hope to pay for my own business travel. (this is different to communing costs of course)
You say MPs are over paid. TBH I think that if anything they are underpaid. What I object to is those with a lot of outside business interests using a significant proportion of their time on those external interests and raking in huge additional salaries.
I certainly could not hope to pay for my own business travel. (this is different to communing costs of course)
You say MPs are over paid. TBH I think that if anything they are underpaid. What I object to is those with a lot of outside business interests using a significant proportion of their time on those external interests and raking in huge additional salaries.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
I have to agree with D-Rider.
I worked away a lot and was supplied with a company credit card for my subsistence, i obviously couldn't buy expensive meals or booze, i think there was an unofficial £30 limit for food and drink but if you think about it try spending £30 on two courses and 3 beers in a beef eater and you're almost there.
Though i will agree that rather than second homes in london for mp's within say an hours commute or 40mile radius is stretching the limit.
I worked away a lot and was supplied with a company credit card for my subsistence, i obviously couldn't buy expensive meals or booze, i think there was an unofficial £30 limit for food and drink but if you think about it try spending £30 on two courses and 3 beers in a beef eater and you're almost there.
Though i will agree that rather than second homes in london for mp's within say an hours commute or 40mile radius is stretching the limit.