Thursday, October 25, 2007

No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

Unless you're an MP that is. Then everything goes down on expenses, and today Parliament published its annual table of who claimed what and why. So, how did our local dynamic duo, Sir Roger Wind (Con.) and Dr Steve Ladyboy (Lab.) fare?

Well, Sir Rodge managed to clock up a whopping £134,308 in total, including £26,253 on 'office running costs', £80,497 on 'staffing costs' and £9,197 on 'staying away from main home' (hotels to you and me). He spent £4,901 on car travel, but a mere £187 on travelling on the rattlers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Steve claimed a relatively measly £129,436. Mind you, he spent considerably more on hotels (£21,549), and quite a bit more on the train (£945), but still had a sizeable petrol habit (£4,763).

I expect most people on the Ile will think these expenses pretty profligate, but I should point out that both MPs came in below the average of £135,600. And let's face it, the poor loves need a bit of extra folding. After all, it beats me how anyone could eak out a living on a basic annual salary of £59,686!

Download your copy of 'Members' Allowances' here and weep

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would you travel on the 'rattlers' to London from Thanet if you had petrol expenses on offer? I wouldn't.

Richard Eastcliff said...

If I was a Transport Minister justifying road charging and 70% tax on petrol on environmental grounds I might risk it.

Still, I hear they've all got Toyota Priapus's like me now, so that should cut the costs down a bit. And do the environment a power of good.

Richard Eastcliff said...

Or should that be 'Priapi'?

Kathy said...

Wondered if you knew about ITG new website? We are no longer on ICKent but at thisiskent.co.uk
The site is much better than the old one and you can have a good nose through other Kent areas too.
PS, just a quick line to say thanks for help in the past. I have now left the ITG and start work in Dover on Monday so any pals in that area, tell them to give me a call!
Kathy

Richard Eastcliff said...

Yikes! You've left the Gazunder? How are they going to fill all that white space without you? You're a one woman story machine!

Thanks for the tip about the website, and best of luck in Dover. Your news nose will be sorely missed!

Anonymous said...

And these were the people who held a vote to exempt themsleves from the Freedom of Information Act so they wouldnt have to disclose their expenses!

Millicent said...

Smudger just won't be the same without you!

Michael Child said...

Kathy sorry to hear you have left the ITG I will miss you and your particular interest in Ramsgate issues. I have tried to get thisiskent.co.uk to take me to the ITG but for some reason I arrive at the Kent and Sussex Courier and the Sevenoaks Chronicle no mention of Thanet at all.

Richard Eastcliff said...

Just follow the link in my sidebar Michael.

Michael Child said...

Thanks Richard I will do some link updating on my own sites.