MP spends ‘hours’ each week on expense forms

Ethics watchdog the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority last week released some 22,000 claims made between May and August, but MPs also passed a motion criticising the complexity and cost of the new system, set up following the expenses scandal.

Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White has already been criticised for expenses he has claimed. In a letter to the Courier, Warwick and Leamington Labour party leader Cllr John Barrot (Leamington Willes) said the MP had spent 22 nights in London hotels with an average cost of £123 per night, and identified three hotels within a mile of Parliament that he said cost less.

Mr White explained he had been a “new boy” at the time and said the parliamentary travel office had booked him into the hotel in the weeks before he found a flat in London. He added that since he had found a flat the need would never arise again.

The MP stressed he would stick to his pledge never to claim for food, furniture or cleaning. He added that he had not attended the debate and was happy with the independent authority.

Mr White said: “Before the election we clearly had a system that was rotten, where people thought it was entirely reasonable to put in claims for things without receipts. New systems had to be set up. It’s entirely right that an independent authority is looking at the way things were done.

“I am more than happy to work within whatever parameters are put in place. MPs should be patient, get used to the system and work with it.”

Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright felt there was room for improvement. He said he spent “a number of hours” filling in expenses forms each week and that this was not a good use of time for MPs and their staff.

Mr Wright stressed he was not present for the debate and could not comment on other MPs’ views.

He added: “The system isn’t perfect but I’m very much in favour of it being independent. We are looking for not only a transparent system but also one that will give good value.”