Expenses claimed by Lembit Öpik MP - April - June 2008

2.20.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Sep 2008

The following is a list of the allowances which MPs can claim, a brief explanation of what each is for, and details of the money I claimed under each heading in the first quarter of 2008/09.

a) Additional Costs Allowance (ACA)

Most MPs spend about half of their week in the constituency and half in Parliament. With debates and votes routinely finishing at around 10pm or later, MPs can claim the costs of somewhere to stay in London, up to an annual limit. I have a flat in South London and I spend this allowance on the interest on the mortgage on this flat, as well as on other costs associated with the flat. In the first quarter of 2008/09 I claimed £6,655.

The maximum Additional Cost Allowance that can claim for the financial year 2008/2009 is £24,006

b) Incidental Expenses Provision (formerly 'office costs allowance')

Like most members of Parliament, I run two office, one in Westminster and one in my constituency, which is in Newtown.

My London Office spent at total of £830.84 on a combination of stationary, consumables (printer cartridges) and office equipment which was claimed from the IEP.

My Constituency Office has claimed £16,408.20 to cover the cost of running the office for the first two thirds of the year. Many of the bills are paid on annually and not on a quarterly basis. The IEP covers such costs as rates, utilities, telephones, the cost of printing etc.

The maximum Incidental Expenses Provision that can claim for the financial year 2008/2009 is £22,193

c) Staffing

Like most MPs I employ staff both in my constituency and in Westminster. My staff help me in my role as a constituency MP as well as supporting my activities in Parliament.

My constituency office team work a variety of hours and days of the week, but I employ approximately 2 full-time equivalent staff in the constituency and 1.5 full time staff member in London. The cost of employing office staff, including employer NI contributions, was £16,733.33 in the first quarter of 2008/09.

The maximum Staffing Allowance that can be claimed during the financial year 2008/2009 is £100,205

d) Communications Allowance

Since 2007/08 MPs have been allocated an allowance towards the costs of communicating with local residents, beyond simply replying to incoming correspondence. The content of such communications must be approved by the House of Commons authorities before it is issued and must relate to Parliamentary matters.

During the first quarter of this year I have spent £389.58 on advertising in local papers in order to make local people aware of the constituency surgeries which have been help in various parts of Montgomeryshire. This money will be reclaimed from the communications allowance.

The maximum Communications Allowance that can be claimed during the financial year 2008/2009 is £10,400

e) Travel

MPs are entitled to claim from a travel allowance for travelling up and down to London from the constituency and for travelling within the constituency on constituency related business. The rates provided by the House of Commons are as follows.

Mileage Rate (first 10,000 miles per year) 40p per mile

Mileage Rate (in excess of 10,000 miles) 25p per mile

Motorcycle Allowance 24p per mile

Bicycle Allowance 20p per mile

I will be putting in a claim for my travel during this period in due course.

f) Centrally Purchased Stationary and Postage

All MPs are entitled to use centrally purchased stationary and postage for corresponding with their constituents and for the performance of their parliamentary duties.

Currently MPs are entitled to use up to £7000 worth of centrally provided stationary and postage per year. At present I have used £513.02 worth of this stationary and postage during the first 3 months of the year.

I hope that this information is helpful.

Lembit Öpik MP