My expenses

I have always supported full publicity of all payments to MPs and opposed all attempts to restrict access to these figures. I have always believed constituents have a right to know exactly how much public money is given to me, and how it is spent. Total transparency is the only way we can build public trust. Please see this page for statements I have made in the House of Commons on these issues in recent years:

Statements on expenses I have made in Parliament

Last year, I was paid the standard MP salary of £63,219 and a London weighting supplement of £2916 (Government Ministers, most select committee chairs and the senior two official opposition MPs are paid additional salaries).

In addition to their salaries, MPs are given budgets to run their offices. For each item I buy using these allowances I have to put in a claim which is then scrutinised by parliamentary civil servants. The allowances are exactly that - allowances available to an MP to serve their constituents as they see best.

I have lived in my constituency under the same roof since before I was first elected. Like all other inner London MPs, I cannot and do not claim for a second home; I do not think any London MP should do so, and no Liberal Democrat MP representing Greater London does so. I support a parliamentary motion from my Liberal Democrat colleague Sarah Teather which would enforce this for all London MPs.

I always try to keep travel claims to a minimum by cycling and using buses, tubes and trains (second class) whenever possible.

Although MPs expenses claims appear large, the largest part of them is taken up by staff wages - vital to support the running of a small office team. Approximately £70 out of every £100 which I claim is paid directly as wages for my staff. This money does not come via the MP and is paid directly to the individual staff member. These people are extremely committed and hard working individuals. I am proud of what they do and could not serve my constituents properly without them. I would add that there are many more people who help as volunteers for which no financial support is given.

I have always tried to keep all expenditure to the minimum, consistent with providing my constituents with a good service.

(1) Ranking for 2008/09 is not currently available as MPs expenses for last year have not yet been published. Full stationery and IT costs are not yet available but will be added as soon as they are available.

(2) This is the second home claim and does not apply to inner London MPs

(3) This is a London weighting for inner London MPs and follows the same principle of pay for other inner London public sector staff.

(4) Cost of running my offices eg. Rents, phone bills, stationary, photocopying etc

(5) Total wages for all my staff and includes National Insurance contributions. Where the claims exceed the maximum allowance either some money has been transferred from the office budget (IEP) or I have topped up the allowance from my own pay. I have contributed from the costs of doing my job in every year since I was first elected, on occasion by five figure amounts. I have one of the highest levels of casework of any MPs office and therefore need a full compliment of staff (and volunteers) to help me do this work.

(6) Allowance for information to constituents but only of a non-party political nature

(7) My travel costs include a travel pass, a cycling allowance, reimbursement for actual fuel costs spent between my home and Westminster and around North Southwark and Bermondsey on constituency business and authorised travel on parliamentary business.

Quarterly Expenses 01/01/2008 - 31/03/2008

Quarterly Expenses 01/04/08 - 31/12/08