The Sun: MPs are on the makeover

A LUXURY “wedding list” of household items MPs can order with taxpayers’ cash was revealed yesterday.

Politicians can spend up to £10,000 for a new kitchen and £6,335 to instal a new bathroom.

They can choose beds costing up to £1,000, DVD players up to £270, TVs at £750 and £750 stereo systems.

The goodies from department store John Lewis are allowed under a £22,000-a-year Additional Costs Allowance given to all MPs living outside central London. It is meant to furnish their second homes.

Bills

In addition, they can claim £400 a month for food, without receipts — and get the taxpayer to foot their dry cleaning bills.

The rules forbid “extravagant or luxurious” items. But prices listed are higher than many hard-working families hit by this week’s Budget could afford.

Chancellor Alistair Darling unveiled tax hikes that will hammer millions of drivers and drinkers.

Commons authorities picked John Lewis because it came out top in Which? magazine for cost and customer service. Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “John Lewis is a fine store — but it is hardly the cheapest place to purchase household goods.

“How many ordinary taxpayers spend £1,500 on a TV and stereo when there are cheaper deals elsewhere?

“No wonder the Government wastes so much money if MPs don’t have to stick to a tight budget themselves.”

Other examples on the list of 38 items include dining tables for £600 and food blenders for £200.

Members can also cover their floors in carpets costing £35 a square metre. MPs earn £61,820 a year, plus allowances for travel, staff and offices worth more than £100,000. The furnishing allowance emerged in the wake of a row over expenses.

Resisted

The list of items was released under the Freedom of Information Act. Its existence was not even known to most MPs until recently.

Andrew Walker, the Commons’ director general of resources, previously declined to release the document — for fear MPs would take advantage if they knew how much they could claim.

He told an Information Tribunal hearing: “My concern is, if we say what the maximum price we will allow for such an item is, it will become the going rate.”

The Commons has fiercely resisted disclosure of MPs’ claims, arguing it would be an invasion of their privacy.

The John Lewis list shows how much MPs have claimed but does not name them. It it not known how many MPs have received the allowance.

But Labour’s Stuart Bell said last night: “I have never claimed. I think it’s the same for most. But there are 650, some may have.”

He agreed the system was “unacceptable” and taxpayers had a right to be furious,

Mr Bell added: “We accept the outrage. The whole business of allowances has to be looked at. The Speaker has ordered a review.”