WHEN Mr Spring, Tory MP for Suffolk West, moved house in his constituency, he was allowed to make claims for legal fees and other costs associated with buying another property.
WHEN Mr Spring, Tory MP for Suffolk West, moved house in his constituency, he was allowed to make claims for legal fees and other costs associated with buying another property.
“There are solicitor's and architect's fees and also an arrangement figure for the mortgage on the property. I was reimbursed for a security alarm for the cottage.”
Mr Spring also claimed for hardware and also some plants for his new home.
The MP has long supported a system which would increase the pay of MPs but which would mean that second home allowances would be abolished.
He has on average in the past four years claimed in excess of �4,000 a year for food, and said he recognised the public was angry at what had, until now, been secret payments. “I support a fixed payment for MPs and some reimbursement for travel - and nothing else.
“If an MP wants a second home either in the capital or the constituency, then that should be their problem and they should not depend on the cost allowance system to oblige them,” said Mr Spring.
EXPENSES PAID
2004-5
Cost of hotel stays: �1,425
Mortgage payments or rent: �2,900
Food: �4,200
Utilities: �1,177.19
Telephone and communications: �379.98
Cleaning: �1,230
Service/maintenance: �1,160
Repairs/insurance/security: �923.96
Other: �301.11
Total: �13,697.24
2005-6
Mortgage payments or rent: �5,419.35
Food: �3,835.48
Utilities: �681.25
Council tax/rates: �1,131.45
Telephone and communications: �548.74
Cleaning: �1,435
Service/maintenance: �1,430
Repairs/insurance/security: �853.16
Other: �531.71
Total: �15,866.14
2006-7
Mortgage payments or rent: �6,892.37
Food: �4,800
Utilities: �640.99
Council tax/rates: �1,210.78
Telephone and communications: �389.60
Cleaning: �1,566.75
Service/maintenance: �1,430
Repairs/insurance/security: �402.24
Other: �5,015.45
Total: �22,348.18
2007-8
Mortgage payments or rent: �17,368.47
Food: �4,581.09
Utilities: �722.36
Council tax/rates: �1,741.20
Telephone and communications: �256.22
Cleaning: �1,200
Service/maintenance: �1,225
Other: �602.57
Total: �27,696.91
OVERALL TOTAL: �79,608.47
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here