New details of our MPs’ expenses claims have been released by the House of Commons authorities.
The claims, covering the financial year 2008 to 2009 and the start of 2009 to 2010, show our Parliamentary representatives continued to make sizable second home claims but appear to have shied away from some of the bigger claims of previous years – published in the summer amidst national controversy.
None of our four representatives were asked to repay any money.
Watford MP Claire Ward, however, was informed by the Commons fees office that her annual claim for mortgage interest on her London flat would not be paid in full.
Ms Ward, who claimed £1,400 a month in mortgage costs, was told in March this year that her final monthly claim would be reduced to £1,091 because she had already claimed the maximum amount of Additional Costs Allowance.
South West Hertfordshire MP David Gauke, who claimed £1,274 a month for his mortgage, also claimed £473 to repair a hot water fault in December last year.
Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning stopped claiming for a second home early in 2009 but did make a number of hotel claims of up to £700 a month.
Hertsmere MP James Clappison made no claims for rent or mortgage expenses but did make a claim of £149.99 to buy a vacuum cleaner and home insurance worth £593.75.
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