MP's Expenses and My Pay

MP's Expenses

Like many I was shocked to hear of the revelations last year of the expenses claims made by MP's. From duck houses to moat cleaning I think in some cases it showed how out of touch some MP's had become. Or simply arrogant in assuming expenses were valid.

Our Northampton MPs have been criticised for some of their own claims in particular in relation to payment for a flat in London or money claimed on refurbishment of a second home in the constituency. I will leave you to decide what you think on these matters.

You can view details of Sally Keeble MPs' Expenses and Allowances here.

For my own part as a prospective MP I have already announced my own Election Covenant which is a guide to how I would conduct myself.

View my Election Covenant here.

I live in Northampton and it is my home - that will not change whatever happens. I believe it is simply wrong to profit at the taxpayers expense so if I do need to fund additional accommodation then any profit from the sale of it would be returned to the taxpayer.

My Pay and Allowances

In the spirit of my intention as your prospective MP I set out below my own personal allowances/expenses as a local Councillor plus also how my campaign is being funded.

Councillor Allowances and Remuneration

As a Borough Councillor for Kingsley Ward I have claimed the following:

Up to May 2009

Basic Allowance: £6,000 per annum

Currently

Basic Allowance: £6,625 per annum

The Council put up the basic allowance from £6,000 to £6,625 in October 2008 and backdated it to May 2008. I declined to take this increase or the backdating and have only claimed the new allowance since May 2009.

Special Responsibility Allowances as Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Up to October 2009

£3,000 per annum

Currently

£0

Again the Council increased the allowance for Chair of Overview and Scrutiny to £4,939 in October 2008 backdated to May 2008. I declined to take this increase or any backdating and continued to claim the old allowance rate up until I ceased being Chair of Overview and Scrutiny in October 2009.

You can view the 2008/09 Councillor Allowances here.

Although councillors can claim for other items such as travel around their ward or to council meetings as I live in the town centre I have never thought it reasonable to make any claims. I do also benefit by having a car parking pass for use in Council car parks when on council business.

Other Pay and Remuneration

I work part-time for Home Retail Group Financial Services in Milton Keynes. I work 3 days a week as Product Controller (Pet Insurance) and am responsible for this product in Argos and Homebase. I get paid the equivalent full-time salary for this position for the days I do.

I get no remuneration as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North - this is an unpaid role.

My total income is therefore made up of my employment with Home Retail Group and my councillor allowances.

My Office and Campaign Funds

As the Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate I do not have a dedicated office or any full-time staff. The vast majority of campaign funds are raised locally from Lib Dem members and supporters.

For the first time the Liberal Democrats do now have a Northampton office based at 78-90 Clarke Road. This is shared with Bill Newton Dunn MEP and is funded by Northampton Liberal Democrats and Bill Newton Dunn MEP. As Parliamentary Candidate I am able to have use of this office space.

Other campaign funding is raised by Northampton Liberal Democrat members and supporters.

Large donors will be published here but in the meantime you can see income declared at: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/