Thursday, March 13, 2008
The “John Lewis” List
The Telegraph’s Three Line Whip blog spotted the BBC’s noting of the ‘John Lewis List’ - Parliament’s Additional Costs Allowance Claims Guide, “used by House of Commons officials to determine whether an expenditure claim submitted by an MP is reasonable.” You can see which MPs have utilised this guide, but not what they claimed for, via TheyWorkForYou [click on an MP’s name then ‘Expenses’] Adds According to the BBC
Detailed expenses claims of all MPs dating back to 2004 look set to be published, the BBC has learned.
MPs can claim items up to £23,000 per year.
Air conditioning unit - £299.99
Bed - £1,000.00
Bedside cabinet - £100.00
Bookcase/shelf - £200.00
Bookcase/cabinet - £500.00
Carpet - £35.00 per square metre
Carpet fitting - £6.50 per square metre
Coffee maker/machine - £100.00
Coffee table - £250.00
Dining armchairs (each) - £150.00
Dining chairs (each) - £90.00
Dining table - £600.00
Dishwasher - £375.00
Drawer chest (five) - £500.00
Dressing table - £500.00
Dry cleaning - both personal and household [items] are allowable within reasonable limits
Food mixer - £200.00
Freestanding mirror - £300.00
Fridge/freezer combi - £550.00
Gas cooker - £650.00
Hi-fi/stereo - £750.00
Installation of new bathroom - £6,335.00
Installation of new kitchen - £10,000.00
Lamp table - £200.00
Nest of tables - £200.00
Recordable DVD - £270.00
Rugs (each) - £300.00
Shredder - £50.00
Sideboard - £795.00
Suite of furniture - £2,000.00
Television set - £750.00
Tumble dryer - £250.00
Underlay (basic) - £6.99 per square metre
Wardrobe - £700.00
Washer dryer - £500.00
Washing machine - £350.00
Wooden flooring/carpets - £35.00 per square metre
Workstation - £150.00Personal items not allowed - for example: hairdryers or hairstylers, shavers, toothbrushes, toiletries and bathrobes.
Any form of payment protection or illness cover is not claimable from ACA in relation to mortgage payments.
In order for a member to claim the mortgage interest against his ACA home, his/her name must appear on the mortgage.
Garden furniture such as patio sets, loungers and barbecues are not allowed.
Basic garden maintenance is allowed, but plants, shrubs, flowers, hanging baskets or other decorations etc are not.
Pete Baker @ 09:41 PM
It is expected that all MPs expences will be published going back 3 yeaars. I look forward to seeing the MP married couple’s double homes in London etc.
Posted by on Mar 14, 2008 @ 08:18 AMCLUB 647 - CLASS OF 2006/7 EXPENSES RANKINGS
Gerry Adams* - 419
Gregory Campbell* - 433
Nigel Dodds* - 72
Pat Doherty* - 457
Jeffrey Donaldson* - 86
Mark Durkan* - 265
Michelle Gildernew* - 383
Lady Hermon - 345
William McCrea* - 486
Alasdair McDonnell* - 161
Eddie McGrady - 293
Martin McGuinness* - 244
Conor Murphy* - 432
Ian Paisley* - 349
Iris Robinson* - 384
Peter Robinson* - 198
David Simpson* - 552
Sammy Wilson* - 295Nigel Dodds is top of the class for the Northern Ireland MPs and David Simpson is the most economical.
*I wonder if any of these multi-taskers are, er, billing Westminster and Stormont for the same things ...
Posted by on Mar 14, 2008 @ 11:28 AMButterknife,
You are too cynical. If a married couple each claim the allowance for living away from home, then that can only mean that they have separate accommodation in London. Can’t it? Therefore they are going to need two of everything at John Lewis.
Posted by on Mar 14, 2008 @ 11:39 AMGregory Campbell got some stick from the media for his office expenses yet he’s down at #15 on this list. He made it to #1 on the IEP list in 2001
Martin McGuinness, at #5, is top of the list for those occupying standing room only.
Posted by on Mar 14, 2008 @ 12:18 PMInteresting to compare stationery and postage. Sammy Wilson £6,325 Martin McGuinness Zero. How can you have Zero, many of the Stationery and Postage claims seem surprisingly low. Many are about £2 a week??? Says it all really.
Posted by on Mar 14, 2008 @ 03:48 PM
