I believe we need radical reform of allowances. That must include thorough independent audits of past claims, an independent regulator for the future so that MPs do not decide their own allowances, and a new system which is simpler, more transparent and cuts the overall costs for the taxpayer.

I voted for major reform of the expenses last year, and I think it would have been an improvement if those changes had been made.

See below for an article I wrote with neighbouring MP Jon Trickett on the need for reform.

Details for all MPs’ allowances can be found by clicking here

Most of the MPs allowances are paid by the House of Commons directly in salaries to the staff who work in constituency offices, or to pay for things like office bills and stationary through the Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP).

In addition, the Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) was set up 30 years ago because MPs from outside London need to be able to live in their constituencies and also be in Westminster for debates and votes. MPs can only use the allowance for a second home and must, of course, pay all the bills on their main home themselves. It reflects the fact that average private rents for two bedroom flats in Westminster are around £15,000 a year. New rules and independent audits are already in place for this housing allowance, and I’m backing further reform too.