More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
by political editor Paul Francis
Repairs to toilets, replacement light switches, new vacuum cleaners and the sanding of floors are all among expenses claims made by Kent MPs published today.
The Commons authorities have placed online all the expenses claims made by every single MP for the last four years, sparking a fresh wave of public interest.
Several Kent MPs have already had details of their claims published by the Daily Telegraph.
But the documents published today – which have removed what some say is key information - shed fresh light on claims that have not previously been put into the public domain. There is no suggestion any are in breach of the rules.
Among them is a claim by the Ashford MP Damian Green (Con) for repair work to his second home in Charing that included a new dimmer switch for a bedroom.
They also show how Gillingham MP Paul Clark (Lab), a junior minister, claimed hundreds of pounds for repair and decorating work for his second home that included new curtains, the sanding of floors and painting the outside of the house
In the case of Mr Green, the MP submitted a claim for £405.38 for work carried out at his second home in Charing in 2008.
As well as a replacement dimmer switch, repair work was done to a leaking water pipe and a new stopcock for a ground floor toilet. The claim also covered work on a conservatory, including repointing brickwork; fixing guttering and a wastepipe.
The MP said the work was necessary to ensure the conservatory did not come away from the house.
He explained: “It was straightforward maintenance for ensuring the house remained intact. It was entirely in line with what is allowed for second homes as it was to do with the basic fabric of the building.”
His second home allowances for 2008 included a monthly mortgage payment of £780 a month and a council tax bill of £186 a month. He also claimed for the costs of a TV allowance each month, as have many other MPs.
Mr Clark made several claims for decorating and maintenance work to his second home over the four-year period, all of which were permitted under the regulations.
His allowances for 2008 detail a claim for £230 to redecorate a main bedroom in January and a claim for £1,700 for work done to a porch in July 2006. In May of that year, he also claimed £1,036 for having the outside of the house repainted and to have the guttering cleaned.
Earlier in March, he claimed more than £1,000 for work at the house that included £626 for carpets and £580 for floor sanding. According to the receipts submitted in support of the claim, the sanding included the costs of applying two coats of floor seal.
In February, he claimed £156 for a replacement extractor fan and in January, £235 for curtains.
Mr Clark said: “They are certainly within both the letter and the spirit of the regulations. I have not been claiming for swimming pools or mortgages that do not exist. I am pleased that we have been able to bring forward the publication but what we need to do now is focus on sorting things out.”
Ann Widdecombe claimed one of the lowest sums of all MPs for second homes in 2008 - at just £850.
Her claims for the period chiefly cover her hotel bills, which she uses as she no longer has a constituency home.
Sir John Stanley, the Tonbridge and Malling MP, who claimed one of the lowest sums overall of Kent MPs, submitted a claim for £40 for what was described as a garment rail.
WITHIN THE RULES
