UK POLITICS

MP’s claimed £9.1 million in expenses despite working remotely during the first 2020 lockdown

26 January, 2021
Oliver Down

Reports have emerged that MPs have been claiming taxpayer-funded expenses for extra gas and electricity whilst working from home during the lockdown. A report in the Sunday Times has shown that MP’s claimed £9.1 million in expenses despite working remotely during the first 2020 lockdown. 

Claims for heating and electricity rose in April 2020 totalled £48,723 for April. This is despite April last year being the sunniest on record. Lockdowns have forced workers up and down the UK to work from home which will spark higher energy bills. However, campaigners have claimed it is one rule for ordinary workers and another for MPs, as very few companies have offered to reimburse their employees increased remote working utility bills. 

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority do allow for MPs to claim for additional energy bills, as they are classed as ‘office costs’. The Labour MP for Preston, Sir Mark Hendrick, claimed £126 for electricity and fuel in April and May whilst working from home due to the pandemic. The Labour MP for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins, submitted a £345 electricity bill claim in September as he stated that his bill had ‘increased March onwards whilst working from home’.

John O’Connell from the Taxpayers’ Alliance has said: ‘While MPs must have the resources to do their jobs, many taxpayers will be worried about the growing price of politics. The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, including the home working expenses that most people simply have to absorb themselves’. 

Figures for June 2019 to May 2020 have revealed that MPs claimed nearly £29 million in expenses. The four highest claiming MPs for that period were all from the SNP. They were Brendan O’Hara, Drew Hendry, Ian Blackford and Lisa Cameron.

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