My pledge and commitment to public disclosure
The expenses scandal caused enormous damage and people lost faith in politicians. I believe current MPs must do everything we can to restore the public’s trust in Parliament and in our democracy. This includes being open and honest about my expenses and the reasons for claiming them.
So I am pleased that IPSA (the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) will be publishing details of all MPs expenses every two months on their website. I fully support this openness and transparency and the opportunity it gives constituents to have access to the details of how I spend public funds. Visit http://www.parliamentary-standards.org.uk/ to access the published expenses claims as published by IPSA.
Since the General Election in 2010 IPSA http://www.ipsa-home.org.uk/ has the responsibility for setting the rules and administering the allowances associated with the work of MPs including the payment of MPs and staff salaries. IPSA is entirely independent of Parliament, Government and all political parties.
My arrangements and allowances as MP for Sheffield Central
MPs have expenses and allowances to enable them do their job. Before any claim is paid, they must have an invoice or receipt, and it is thoroughly checked by IPSA. I always apply the principle of best value to all decisions I make which involve the use of public money.
My salary
I am paid an annual salary of £65,738. There is more information about MPs pay at http://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/pay-mps/
I do not receive any additional remuneration for any of the extra responsibilities that I have taken on in Parliament (PPS to Hilary Benn; BIS Select Committee member; or my roles with All Party Parliamentary Groups). I do not have and will not take on any second job outside of Parliament.
My constituency office
My constituency office at Unit 4, Edmund Rd Business Centre, 135 Edmund Rd, Sheffield S2 4ED is staffed and open to the public five days a week throughout the year, with a short shutdown between Christmas and New Year. I hold Constituency Surgeries at my office twice a month in addition to a range of other activities, street surgeries, coffee mornings, community meetings, to make myself fully available to the constituents of Sheffield Central.
Through IPSA I claim expenses to pay for the running of my office. The expenses pay for the office rent, for service charges, business rates, utilities (gas, electricity and water), telephone and broadband rental and call costs, insurance, and room hire for surgeries etc. They also pay suppliers and shops for things like furniture, stationery, paper, printer toners, office equipment, cleaning and cleaning materials. In short, they pay for the things that allow me to run an effective office.
My staff
My staff team comprises 4 people, three full time and one part time. They all work in my constituency office in Sheffield. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has approved the job descriptions and contractual arrangements of all members of my staff. All staff are paid salaries within the IPSA recommended salary bands according to their job role, qualifications and experience.
My travel
My rail travel is predominantly between Sheffield and Westminster, whilst my car mileage claims relate to my work within the constituency and very occasionally a Sheffield to Westminster journey.
My accommodation
My family home is in Sheffield where I live with my wife in a house which we jointly own. I do not claim any expenses in relation to this house because the costs do not relate to me being an MP. I claim expenses on a one-bedroom former council flat in London which I rent because as an MP I am required to work in Westminster at least four days a week. If I was not an MP, I would not need this flat. I claim for the rent, council tax, electricity charges and TV licence for this flat.
