MPs Allowances
My constituency office
My constituency office in Accrington is staffed and open to the public five days a week throughout the year, with a shutdown between Christmas and New Year.
My staff
All staff are employed on standard Parliamentary contracts and paid at appropriate Parliamentary rates. I do not employ any members of my family.
My travel
My rail travel is exclusively between Lancashire and London, whilst my car mileage claims are for work within in the constituency, travel to and from Preston station and occasionally a constituency-Westminster journey.
My family home
I live in Lancashire with my family and receive no allowances in relation to my family home. We have a small house in London, and the additional costs allowance contributes towards the costs of maintaining it.
Allowances MPs can claim
All MPs can make use of five separate allowances to help them do their job. These are:
Office costs (Administrative & Office Expenditure - AOE)
This is for running an office, organising advice surgeries and other costs in doing the job of MP. It cannot be used to meet any personal costs or the costs of party political activities. All expenditure must have an invoice or receipt, and is checked by the Parliamentary finance department before being paid. Total: up to £22,393 per year.
Staff costs (staffing allowance)
This allows MPs to employ staff to help them do their job. Staff are paid directly by the Parliamentary finance department. All staff must be employed on approved job descriptions and standard contracts determined by the Commons authorities. Total: up to £103,812 per year.
Communications costs (communications allowance)
This supports MPs in communicating with constituents, through things like regular reports, newsletters, websites and advice surgery notices. Materials must be approved by the Parliamentary finance department in advance, and must have an invoice or receipt before being paid. It cannot be spent on party political, fundraising or election campaigning. Total: up to £10,400 per year.
Travel
MPs’ travel costs are covered for: travel between constituency and Westminster and constituency mileage on Parliamentary business (paid at 40p a mile for first 10 000 miles, then 25p a mile); spouses’ travel between constituency and Westminster (up to 15 return journeys a year); staff travel between constituency and Westminster (up to 12 return journeys a year). All claims are verified by the Parliamentary finance department before being paid.
Second homes (Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure - PAAE)
MPs with constituencies beyond inner London can use a special allowance to help with the costs of staying overnight away from their main home. This can cover the mortgage interest and other costs in running a second home. All expenditure over £25 must have a receipt, which is verified by the Parliamentary finance department. Food costs while staying away from home can also be claimed. Total: up to £24,222 a year.