Lorely Burt's Parliamentary Expenses

Lorely Burt MP: Expenses, April - June 2008

First quarter of 2008/09

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

a) Additional Costs Allowance (ACA)

MPs spend about half of their week in the constituency and half in Westminster. With debates and votes routinely finishing at around 10pm, MPs can claim the costs of somewhere to stay in London, up to an annual limit. I have a flat near Westminster and I spend this allowance on the interest payments for this flat, as well as on other costs associated with the flat (such as Council Tax and utility bills). In the first quarter of 2008/09 I claimed (and spent) £5980.95

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

I run an office at Westminster and an office in the constituency at 81 Warwick Road. By far the biggest costs under this heading are the annual rent that I pay for the constituency office. This allowance also covers things like phone bills, office equipment (eg fax machines, copiers, printers etc.) and consumables (eg printer cartridges). In the first quarter of 2008/09 I claimed (and spent) £4936.46, of whichapproximately £3300 was for office rental.

c) Staffing

I employ staff in the constituency and in Westminster to help me provide a good service to constituents and to contribute effectively to debates and discussions in Parliament. When I am at Westminster my staff in the constituency office are very often the first port of call for local people and often act on my behalf contacting government bodies etc. to help resolve problems. My constituency office team work a variety of hours and days of the week, but I employ approximately 2.9 full-time equivalent staff in the constituency and 1 full time staff member in London. The cost of employing office staff, including employer NI contributions, was £26398.58 in the first quarter of 2008/09.

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 is approved by the House of Commons authorities before it is issued and must relate to Parliamentary matters. I have used this allowance to advertise my weekly surgeries, and also for letters to residents providing information about issues such as the proposed closure of Post Offices in Solihull. In the first quarter of 2008/09, I claimed (and spent) £899.21 under this heading.

I have a separate allowance of £7500 per year for stationery and postage to enable me to help constituents with their problems. I have spent £393.56 on this between April and June. Since I was elected in May 2005 I have helped around 6000 constituents with around 10,000 different problems or queries.

e) Travel

In the first quarter of 2008/09 my travel costs were £828.20, of which most was the cost of rail fares between the constituency and Westminster. I made the decision to use the train as much as possible as it was both cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

I hope that this information is helpful. Please email me on burtl@parliament.uk if you would like a more detailed breakdown of these figures.

Lorely Burt MP

August 2008