The expenses saga: publication of MPs' detailed claims

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MPs' EXPENSES

Parliament has now officially published MPs' expense payment details. I have watched in dismay and astonishment the revelations about how some MPs have used the allowances system, following the earlier leak to the Daily Telegraph. These have been dark days for our democracy brought on ourselves collectively by everyone in Parliament. I can only apologise! (click the link above for more...)

READ MY ARTICLE ON THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM

Each day brings another chapter in the scandal of MPs' expenses. Having defended my fellow Parliamentarians in recent years, I myself have been astonished at some of the claims which have come to light. The payments range from serious misuse of thousands of pounds, for example renovating properties and then selling them on, to merely amusing - such as the 88 pence bath plug and the £6.99 toilet brush. The history is no justification, but may explain a bit.... (click the link above for more)

NICK HARVEY'S EXPENSE CLAIMS 2004-09

COSTS OF STAYING AWAY FROM HOME - "Additional Costs Allowance"

The ACA covers the overnight costs of staying away from home in the course of Parliamentary duties - in Nick's case his family home is in North Devon, so he claims for accommodation in central London. ACA can be used for staying in a hotel or - as Parliament sits 36 weeks of the year - to rent or take out a mortgage (interest only) on a property.

SUMMARY AND BREAKDOWN OF NICK HARVEY'S ACA PAYMENTS 2004-09

Below are Nick's detailed ACA claims - the material leaked to the Daily Telegraph for all MPs. Blacked out bits are bank/credit card details, phone numbers, private addresses, and material removed on security advice. This is all standard - Nick has not asked for any additional editing.

ACA DETAILS 2004-05

ACA DETAILS 2005-06

ACA DETAILS 2006-07

ACA DETAILS 2007-08

(2008-09 data is being processed by officials for publication in the autumn)

OFFICE COSTS - "Incidental Expenses Provision"

The IEP covers the cost of running and equipping a constituency office, telephones, stationery, IT, printing, and casual staffing.

SUMMARY AND BREAKDOWN OF NICK HARVEY'S IEP PAYMENTS 2004-09

Below are Nick's detailed IEP claims. Blacked out bits are bank/credit card details, phone numbers, private addresses, and material removed on security advice. This is all standard - Nick has not asked for any additional editing.

IEP DETAILS 2004-05

IEP DETAILS 2005-06

IEP DETAILS 2006-07

IEP DETAILS 2007-08

COMMUNICATIONS 2007-08 (new allowance that year)

(2008-09 data is being processed by officials for publication in the autumn)

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALLOWANCES FOR ALL MPs