Post by admin on Nov 8, 2006 0:56:44 GMT 1
Janet tops expense claim league table
VALLEY MP Janet Anderson claimed more expenses than any other MP in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester, according to government figures released this week.
Mrs Anderson, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, received £152,137 for a range of costs including office and staff overheads, stationery and travel expenses – the 17th highest in the nation.
Her parliamentary claim was followed by David Chaytor, MP for Bury North including Ramsbottom, on £145,932 and Greg Pope, MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, on £133,585, for the financial year April 2005 to May 2006.
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The claims come on top of the MPs’ basic salary of £60,277, as of 1 November.
Mrs Anderson, who claimed £151,036 last year, said her high allowance reflected her workload and the costs of serving her constituents to the best of her ability.
She said: ‘I have been the MP for Rossendale since 1992 and all the expenses are claimed within the rules laid down by Parliament and are designed to enable me to carry out my duties as the elected representative for Rossendale and Darwen.
‘The constituency caseload of an MP has certainly increased hugely since I was first elected.
‘For example, I now hold eight advice surgeries every month and have a fully staffed constituency office in Rossendale in order to be as accessible as possible.’
Greg Pope’s claim rose by £23,548 from 2004/05 when his bill was £110,037, because he took on a extra member of staff. He said: ‘I employ four members of staff in my constituency office because it is important to provide a service to my constituents. I get hundreds of e-mails and letters a week and I always reply to constituents who contact me. I require staff to help me.’
David Chaytor was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
Lisa Kenyon
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
VALLEY MP Janet Anderson claimed more expenses than any other MP in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester, according to government figures released this week.
Mrs Anderson, who represents Rossendale and Darwen, received £152,137 for a range of costs including office and staff overheads, stationery and travel expenses – the 17th highest in the nation.
Her parliamentary claim was followed by David Chaytor, MP for Bury North including Ramsbottom, on £145,932 and Greg Pope, MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, on £133,585, for the financial year April 2005 to May 2006.
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The claims come on top of the MPs’ basic salary of £60,277, as of 1 November.
Mrs Anderson, who claimed £151,036 last year, said her high allowance reflected her workload and the costs of serving her constituents to the best of her ability.
She said: ‘I have been the MP for Rossendale since 1992 and all the expenses are claimed within the rules laid down by Parliament and are designed to enable me to carry out my duties as the elected representative for Rossendale and Darwen.
‘The constituency caseload of an MP has certainly increased hugely since I was first elected.
‘For example, I now hold eight advice surgeries every month and have a fully staffed constituency office in Rossendale in order to be as accessible as possible.’
Greg Pope’s claim rose by £23,548 from 2004/05 when his bill was £110,037, because he took on a extra member of staff. He said: ‘I employ four members of staff in my constituency office because it is important to provide a service to my constituents. I get hundreds of e-mails and letters a week and I always reply to constituents who contact me. I require staff to help me.’
David Chaytor was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
Lisa Kenyon
First published by the Rossendale Free Press