Crosby MP Claire Curtis-Thomas will publish expenses claims

May 14 2009 by John Siddle, Crosby Herald

CROSBY MP Claire Curtis-Thomas will disclose her expenses for public scrutiny after a national newspaper disclosed abuse of the system by politicians.

Receipts obtained by The Daily Telegraph detail how some MPs have claimed bath plugs, lawnmowers, televisions, dog food and potted plants from the taxpayer.

Additional Costs Allowance – designed to help politicians with the cost of accommodation near Westminster – allows expenses claims on items "wholly and necessarily incurred for the purpose of performing their parliamentary duties."

One Labour backbencher claimed £6.14 for a throwaway BBQ from B&Q, while another claimed 5p for an Ikea carrier bag.

At the other end of the spectrum, a top Tory, who receives a £65k parliamentary income, claimed £2000 to repair a leaky pipe under the tennis court in his country home.

Mrs Curtis-Thomas, 50, claimed £165,621 last year, £20,000 more than the Commons average. She claimed the maximum £23,083 for her London residency under the second home allowance.

The Labour backbencher also claimed office staff allowance of £97,656, £14,187 office running costs and £3,608 for stationery used for casework and letters to constituents.

She insisted last month that “democracy costs and the allowances are required for the job we do”.