Linda issues statement and publishes expenses in advance of full publication by the Commons Authorites.
"I have decided to publish details of my Parliamentary expenses and allowances on my website because I do not wish to hide these from people or indeed be required to publish them at some point later in the year. Some of you will know that the 'headline' costs of running my Halifax and London offices have been on my website for over 3 months.
I accept that for for many people who are struggling on low wages or who are out of work, the news of some MPs claiming lavish expenses has rightly angered them. It's clear that the system is wrong and that it must now be radically changed. I claimed these allowances and expenses in good faith, based on the advice from the Parliamentary authorities. When I was elected in 2005, it became clear that I would need a base in London as well as my home in Halifax. I re-mortgaged my Halifax home to help purchase a small flat in London and modestly furnished that flat, some of those furnished items were authorised claims. But I accept that people in most other professions simply do not have access to this level of allowance and expenses claims.
Parliament has allowed itself to become out of touch with those it is meant to serve, that is wrong and every single MP must work doubly hard to rebuild trust. I hope that Sir Christopher Kelly's Standards Committee, which is looking into MPs allowances, will report very soon and that all his recommendations are accepted without question."
For the full block headings for Linda's expenses, including travel costs and use of the Parliament Communications Allowance, please click here.
Costs of living away from home
2005/06 £21,634
2006/07 £22,110
2007/08 £23,083
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Mortgage payments or rent (built into the above figures)
2005/06 - 12,855.15
2006/07 - 11,802,45
2007/08 - 11,087,78
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Other expenditure (built into the costs of living away from home figures).
Carpet - £1,936.50
Service charges - £1,061
Suite - £1310
Bed and bedding - £265.97
Legal Fees - £449
Chartered Accountants - £1410.00
Land Registers - £100
Banking Fees - £399
Headboards - £245
Curtains - £220
TV Licence - £135.50
Service Charges and Service Maintenance - £3169
Repairs/Insurance/Security - £50,00
Stamp Duty - £1,117,39
VAT - £78.58
N,b. These are all costs met for second home to live in London.
Food allowance
Cleaning
£1200 per annum.
Council Tax/Rates
£1880,.29
Payment of Interns
£1285.71
Utilities
£421.48
Office running Costs
n.b. This includes items like staionery, computers, printers, staff training, cartridges, toners etc, office removal costs, £21,240.61 (since 2005 not per annum)
Office rent - £10,326.00 (since 2005 not per annum)
Telecommunications
£8,043.77 (since 2005 not per annum)
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