Labour’s Shadow Cabinet charged thousands in expenses during lockdown, billing taxpayers for first-class travel, rent, TV licences – and even hand gel.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner, who boasts of ‘standing up for working people’, claimed £30,952.98 including £1,600 on 23 first-class rail tickets between London and her Manchester constituency since March.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy spent £23,083.44 which she chalked to her expenses, including £8,883.35 on non-office rent and £475,67 in council tax – and £20 on hand-sanitiser gel, new figures reveal.
The Wigan MP, who has called for the British Army to be replaced with a ‘gender-balanced human security force’, also claimed £2,298.50 in expenses on rail, including £334.50 on railcards.
Though MPs can claim expenses, including the cost of accommodation, they have come under increased scrutiny after a major scandal following the disclosure of widespread misuse of allowances and expenses.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner, who boasts of ‘standing up for working people’, billed £30,952.98 in expenses to British taxpayers – including £1,600 on 23 first-class tickets between London and her Manchester constituency since March
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy spent £23,083.44 which she chalked to her expenses, including £20 for hand-sanitiser. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth charged taxpayers £23,865.67, including £72.20 on taxis between his London home and Westminster
The disclosure of more than a million documents and receipts in June 2009 led to a large number of resignations, sackings, de-selections and retirement announcements.
Several MPs and peers were prosecuted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment after the disclosure provoked public anger.
Shadow Business Minister Lucy Powell billed British taxpayers £25,206.49 last year, including £1,141.10 on rail trips including £390 for first-class, £5.65 for postage and a £157 TV licence fee – as well as £35 in parking fares.
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Gill Furniss spent £19,506.31, including £7,136.72 on non-office rent and £780.78 in council tax.
She also travelled first-class 10 times as Covid-19 sparked government pandemic measures including the shutdown of most of the travel industry.
Jonathan Ashworth, the Shadow Health Secretary, charged taxpayers £23,865.67, including £2,843.20 on travel, of which £72.20 was spent on taxis between his London home and Westminster.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appears to have billed taxpayers just £13,179.64 in office costs, including £907.62 on stationery
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Gill Furniss spent £19,506.31, including £7,136.72 on non-office rent and £780.78 in council tax. Shadow Business Minister Lucy Powell billed British taxpayers £25,206.49 last year, including £1,141.10 on rail trips including £390 for first-class, £5.65 for postage and a £157 TV licence – as well as £35 in parking fares
According to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the taxis were justified because alternatives were ‘impracticable’ – a nod to coronavirus restrictions on travel, including the ‘stay at home’ diktat and the closure of several TfL Tube stations last spring.
Mr Ashworth billed taxpayers £2,600 on rail trips and £11,427.17 on non-office accommodation including £9,625 on rent at £1,925 per month between April and September, and £1,501.63 on council tax.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer appears to have billed taxpayers just £13,179.64 in office costs, including £907.62 on stationery.
Responding to the findings, John O’Connell of the TaxPayers’ Alliance told the Sun on Sunday: ‘Standard class is good enough for most people.’
Labour has been contacted for comment.