Revealed: How your MP claimed expenses

Expenses claimed by MPs are published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) so constituents can type in their postcode or the name of an MP and get a full breakdown of their spending.

From computer equipment to phone bills, The Argus has looked at some of the costs listed by Brighton and Hove MPs and asked them to explain how the money was spent.

Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavilion

In the 2019/20 financial year, Caroline Lucas spent a total of £25,028.75 on office costs, £7,852.60 on accommodation and £6,690.30 on travel.

So far in the 2020/21 financial year, she has claimed £6,071.32 on office costs but nothing has been claimed for accommodation or travel.

The Green MP claimed back £266.69 on stationery and printing, including £6.29 on a “ream of paper”.

Ms Lucas also claimed a wifi booster, a wireless keyboard and mouse set and an office chair for her staff working at home for £285.88

The rent for her constituency office in Middle Street is £1,750.32 a month.

Ms Lucas said a “huge spike” in casework due to the pandemic contributed to the costs.

She said: “The vast majority of my expenditure is on staffing to support me in this vital work, that includes holding surgeries, representing the interest of my constituents and the constituency, participating in debates in the House of Commons, corresponding with constituents and addressing important social and economic issues in the constituency.

“There’s been a huge spike in casework related to Covid, much of which has also involved an increase in cross-party and multi-agency work locally, alongside the usual scrutiny of the government.

“Other expenditure includes the costs of maintaining a constituency office, a rail season ticket, the cost of overnight stays at a B&B in London when Parliament is sitting and a small amount to facilitate staff working from home during the pandemic.”

Maria Caulfield, Lewes

In the 2019/20 financial year, Maria Caulfield claimed £1,697.35 for travel, £3,113.00 for staffing and £20,641.08 for office costs.

So far in the 2020/21 financial year, the Conservative MP has claimed £3,047.00 for staffing while running a “policy research unit”.

Ms Caulfield said: “The policy research unit is a pooled group of staff based at Westminster who research issues for us both on national and local issues.

“For example helping with data on issues like Brexit, immigration, briefings ahead of votes etc.

“Each MP can buy in and contributes £3,000 and it is much cheaper than each having to employ an individual member of staff. This facility is open to all MPs.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Brighton Kemptown

Throughout the 2019/20 financial year, Lloyd Russell-Moyle claimed £26,920.09 in office costs, £13,465.21 in travel and £7,631.52 in accommodation. So far in the 2020/21 financial year, the Labour MP has claimed £12,313.44 in office costs and £340.42 in travel.

The Kemptown representative claimed £282.62 for a hotel in London in May and claimed £57.80 for travelling 128 miles via car from London to his constituency office.

Mr Russell-Moyle said the expenses had gone towards helping constituents, with staff opening 7,442 new cases this year.

He added: “During this crisis they have helped co-ordinate repatriations from around the world, prevented homelessness, supported housing repairs and appealed unfair DWP [Department for Work and Pensions] decisions.

“Every penny on staff and office costs is directly for constituents and every penny not claimed goes back to London away from Brighton and Peacehaven.

“I do not have a second home, I do not claim food, living only in Kemptown and staying in B&Bs and hotels on occasions of late or early sittings, saving the taxpayer up to £20,000 a year.”

Caroline Ansell, Eastbourne

Throughout 2019 and 2020, Caroline Ansell spent £4,636.87 on office expenses, £10,550.00 on staffing and £4,900 on accommodation.

This financial year, she claimed £2,262.14 on office costs.

However, the Conservative MP has claimed £18,649.00 on staffing already. This is made up of £15,600 worth of bought services for “professional communications support” and “research support”. The biggest claim was for research support worth £4,500 on July 6.

Ms Ansell said the money spent is “within IPSA guidelines”.

She said: “The research support costing £11,999 was hired from March until June as a temporary full-time staffing cost to help myself and my office deal with the coronavirus emergency.

“In March, I was still in the process of building my team after the election but, following the lockdown announcement, we were unable to recruit.

“At the same time, the office was dealing with an unprecedented level of information, emails and correspondence. To ensure I did my very best for my constituents this resource was hired for this limited period and it was invaluable.

“The smaller sum for professional communications support remains ongoing.

“All this money is within IPSA guidelines and has been approved by this independent body.

“I will also underspend on my staff budget in this financial year. The projection is to spend £152,000 against a total allowance from IPSA of £177,550.”

Peter Kyle, Hove

Labour MP Peter Kyle spent £26,243.40 on office costs £11,658.54 on staffing and £14,300 on accommodation in 2019/20.

In this financial year so far, Peter Kyle has claimed £11,101.87 on office costs, £3,359.04 on staffing and £5,200 on accommodation.

The claimed expenses under office costs include £559.82 on stationery and printing costs, £54.96 for phone and contract usage.

Mr Kyle said: “Ever since I’ve become an MP, I’ve tried my hardest to deliver value for money, for

the service I and the team offer residents.

“I’ve never forgotten that my office and staffing budget comes from taxpayers, and I never will.”