Expenses breakdown: Richard Spring

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