Value For Money Update

In an effort to be transparent about my work, I thought you might be interested to see an update of my parliamentary expenses for this financial year just ended (April 2011 to March 2012).

I do not claim expenses for accommodation either in Westminster or in Northamptonshire, nor do I claim expenses for any of my own travel costs on parliamentary business.

I run my office on a tight budget but with a view to making sure we can deal with the workload efficiently - I am conscious of the need to be very careful with taxpayers money. I spent £15,494.58 on office costs (rent, printing, stationary, training for my staff etc) in the year ending March 2012. This is only 72 percent of the annual budget allowed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) of £21,500. My staffing costs for the year were £104,785.23, which is again well within the annual budget of £115,000 provided by IPSA. Finally, my staff (including an apprentice and various interns) have claimed £2,450.30 in travel between Westminster and South Northamptonshire.

From April 2011 to March 2012, I wrote over 3,700 letters in response to enquiries from nearly 2000 constituents. In the last year, I have spoken in 77 debates in the House of Commons, and have received answers to 93 written questions. Both of these are above average amongst MPs. I have voted in 80.40% of votes in this Parliament, which again is above average amongst MPs. If you would like more information on the work that I do, you can sign up for alerts at www.theyworkforyou.com.

I will continue to work hard to provide the best service and value for money that I can for South Northamptonshire.

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Value For Your Money

In an effort to be transparent about my work, I thought you might be interested to see an update of my parliamentary expenses so far this financial year (April 2011 to October 2011).

I do not claim expenses for accommodation either in Westminster or in Northamptonshire, nor do I claim expenses for any of my own travel costs on parliamentary business.

I run my office on a tight budget but with a view to making sure we can deal with the workload efficiently - I am conscious of the need to be very careful with taxpayers money. I have spent £10,500 on office costs (rent, printing, stationary, training for my staff etc) in the 7 months since April 2011. This is less than half the annual budget allowed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) of £21,500, so we are well ahead of budget. My staffing costs for the 7 months since April are £55,900, which is again well within the annual budget of £115,000 provided by IPSA. Finally, my staff have claimed £1,260 in travel between Westminster and South Northamptonshire, in conducting 38 out of an allowed 96 single journeys.

Since election in May 2010, I have written over 5,700 letters in response to enquiries from more than 2,600 constituents. In the last year, I have spoken in 73 debates in the House of Commons, and have received answers to 77 written questions. Both of these are above average amongst MPs. I have voted in 84.33% of votes in this Parliament, which again is above average amongst MPs. If you would like more information on the work that I do, you can sign up for alerts at www.theyworkforyou.com.

I will continue to work hard to provide the best service and value for money that I can for South Northamptonshire.

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Update: Total Correspondence

Our records indicate that we have dealt with 2573 individual enquiries since I was elected, receiving 5840 items of correspondence, and sending 7183 items in reply.

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