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David Heath's expenses
There has been a lot of controversy about the expenses of members of parliament recently.
The House of Commons will shortly be publishing all the expenses and receipts for MPs over the previous four years.
For the record, I have always taken the view that it is wrong for MPs to buy property using taxpayers money so, since I was first elected, I have always rented a flat in London and claim only for the costs of rent, council tax and, occasionally, utility bills.
I have never clamed for furniture, services or any other unnecessary expenses, so anyone searching for duck houses, moat-cleaning, bags of manure, chandeliers or any other additions to a country estate will be disappointed!
And my main home has always been in Somerset, where my family live, so no “flipping” either.
However, I thought it might be helpful if I published the itemised claims in the two controversial categories, relating to accommodation and office expenses, for the year just completed, 2008-09, before they are available from the parliamentary authorities.
You can find the details here:
Accommodation (9KB PDF)
Office (14KB PDF)