Following the release of the statement from Andrew Turner on his expenses, here’s some the detail provided.
Andrew Turner has a flat in London, close to the House of Commons, and a house in Newport.
His Newport house is claimed under MP expenses as his second home, this he said was based “on the number of nights I spent in each place at the time that I made the nomination, as this was the definition set out in the rules.”
For the lifetime of this Parliament, his main house has always been Newport London (blimey this stuff is confusing), unlike other MPs who have been accused of ‘flipping home,’ between first and second homes, also alternating the houses they were claiming for. His second home was listed as Newport.
He and his partner Carole also co-own a tenanted flat in Cowes, which he hasn’t submitted claims for.
He says that he always submitted receipts, or other documentary evidence, for every purchase under this allowance, even those for under £25, which under the current rules do not require any proof.
He also pointed out that, “I could also claim £4,800 a year for food but, as you can see from the above, I have not.”
Accommodation costs allowance breakdown
He’s also broken down his Accommodation Costs Allowance, which has caused such controversy with some other MPs.
Travel expenses
Andrew Turner states that “Daily commuting is not an option as the Commons sits until 10.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 7.30pm on Wednesdays and 6.30pm on Thursdays.”
Detailing more on his travel expenses …
In terms of the other allowances available to me as an MP, in the year ending 2008 I claimed £7,870 for travel.
I could claim for the cost of first class rail travel but I invariably travel second class which means that my travel costs, even including ferry costs, are lower than some MPs who represent nearby constituencies on the mainland.
Staff travel costs (between the Island and Westminster) amounted to £976.
Office costs
The total costs of running his office were £108,842, including employing four full time staff, one of which is his partner Carole.
Interestingly, no money was paid to the local Conservative association as has happened with other MPs, who on Sunday’s The Independent have accused of using public money to subsidise political parties.
MPs’ comment on others expenses
Commenting on the current MPs’ expenses situation he said
I agree the system of MPs allowances has been widely discredited. I will not comment on what colleagues of all parties are reported to have claimed but I am very sad that it has caused so much damage to public confidence in our democracy.
For myself, I accept my hare of the responsibility and admit I am embarrassed by it all. It has been a very uncomfortable time but I hope you will now have a clearer understanding of my own position and in a few weeks the complete records will be published.
If you want the full details, read Andrew Turner’s document (pdf).
