Expenses
Following the expenses scandal, Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC was asked to review and audit all MPs expenses claims from 2004-05 to 2008-09. A copy of his letter giving Hugh a clean bill of health is available here. His further letter is available here.
In addition, Hugh would like to make the following declaration about his expenses:
1. For the past three years, Hugh's total expenses bill has been in the lowest 10% of all Members of Parliament.
2. Hugh does not employ, and has never employed, any family members or relatives.
3. Hugh's main home, on which he has never claimed any public money is in the constituency and his second home is in London.
4. Hugh has always rented, not owned, his second home so does not benefit from any capital gain. He uses the Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) to pay rent, council tax and part of the utility bills, paying the rest from his own pocket. He will review this, if necessary, once any new regulations are published.
5. Hugh needs accomodation in London because it takes 2 hours to travel door to door from his main constituency home to Westminster. Parliament votes at 10.00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and Hugh is often required to be in London, and elsewhere, at other times of the week to fulfill his commitments as Shadow Sports and Olympics Minister.
6. Hugh has never purchased any furniture or white goods from his personal accomodation allowance.
A full breakdown of both the second home and the office costs allowance, including all receipts, is available to any constituent who wishes to view them in Hugh's constituency office.