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Posted by: HJD Nov 4 2013, 04:33 PM

MPs have come under attack for claiming £200,000 of taxpayers' money to cover the cost of their energy bills.

Some 340 MPs, including Government ministers, have used the parliamentary expenses system to recoup the cost of heating their second homes, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Bills costing more than £1,000 were submitted by 41 MPs while 78 made claims for £500 in the 12 months up to March this year, its analysis found.

The claims do not break any parliamentary rules but come at a time of heightened tensions over the spiralling cost of gas and electricity.

Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, a founder of market research firm YouGov, claimed the most with a bill totalling £5,822.27 to cover electricity and heating oil for his estate in Warwickshire.

International Development Minister Alan Duncan claimed £2,750 for electricity bills and £1,250 in heating oil for his home in Rutland, Leicestershire while Universities Minister David Willetts, claimed £2,596.


How much longer do we have to put up with these freeloaders !!!!!!!!!

Posted by: motormad Nov 4 2013, 04:37 PM

We'll have to put up with them till we as a nation no longer stand for this crap

I fear more riots and protests before anything will change.

Posted by: Claude Nov 4 2013, 04:51 PM

How can you blame them? The rules say they're allowed to claim for it, so they do. Until the rules are changed they're doing nothing wrong apart from morally, but if they're all at it then what difference does it make?

Posted by: GMR Nov 4 2013, 04:52 PM

You are correct when you say 'we are all in it together,' and we are. But politicians don't regard themselves as us, but a breed above. 'Together' is for the 'lower breed'.

Posted by: motormad Nov 4 2013, 04:52 PM

Oh no that's right.
I agree
I would do it to

That just makes me an ******* as well.

Posted by: Cognosco Nov 4 2013, 04:55 PM

I am sure our local MP will be popping along shortly to explain for us what he proposes to do about it!

Posted by: Exhausted Nov 4 2013, 05:07 PM

I wouldn't like the energy bill for Englefield. I doubt he does so would be interested in his claim.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 5 2013, 08:21 AM

He kept his hands clean last time, no reason to suspect he'd be any different this time! Mind, I doubt if he has any real need!

On the general point, so what's new? No such thing as honour, loyalty or integrity these days - can't trust anyone to 'do the right thing' unless there is a 'rule' making them. What a great society!

Posted by: Rusty Bullet Nov 5 2013, 09:52 AM

No he didn't. He got caught passing all the solicitors bills he incurred when buying property in London.

Why he felt the need to is a matter for him and his conscience.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 5 2013, 10:23 AM

Oh I must have missed that one. Quite agree with sentiments though. We have a chap here who is on a four year project, which means he spends most of his week this side of Brum; simply as a joke, he asked the Governor if we'd let him rent a little flat that way. Interesting response, which I can't type here because too many stars appear!

So it seems we can't trust anyone at all.

Posted by: Bloggo Nov 5 2013, 11:50 AM

It would seem that the ruling classes never miss an opportunity, legal or not, to get their noses in the trough.
What a miserable and despicable bunch of self serving wasters.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 5 2013, 01:18 PM

This isn't the preserve of the ruling classes; it's, by and large, human nature.

Posted by: The Hatter Nov 5 2013, 01:58 PM

Oh well, so much for a compulsory education! Let's not criticise or give aid to under developed countries then; our civilisation is now the same as theirs.

Posted by: Cognosco Nov 5 2013, 04:49 PM

Yes but it must be stopped if it involves benefit claimants obtaining a little more than they should though.
Of course that would leave less for the well off in the trough if benefit claimants got more than the bare minimum.

Posted by: blackdog Nov 6 2013, 10:34 AM

First I've heard of this - can you provide a link?

Posted by: Weavers Walk Nov 6 2013, 11:13 AM

Really? This was much discussed on 'the other site' at the time - the one that seems to have vanished into the ether.

Somebody trawled through his expenses and spotted it, either 'Brian' or 'Threepwood' if memory serves., (but don't quote me). Our M.P had bought himself a flat in London and had passed on nearly 4 grand's worth of legal bills for the rest of us to pay. Even the N.W.N. picked up the story. Dickie finally had to put it up on his own web site pointing out that even with the fees he had claimed less over the year than he could have. (as though that made it ok - he is after all only the richest M.P. in the House)

It was a matter of some debate at the time as to why someone who owns an enormous number of properties in London, needed to buy another one. Especially as the Labour M.P. for Reading said that as he lived in Reading and was thus quite close to London he didn't need a flat there. Obviously Engelfield was just too far away.

Posted by: Exhausted Nov 6 2013, 07:05 PM

The bus service is really lousy from the estate. Meant getting the chauffeur to drop him off in Theale to get the jet black.

Posted by: Strafin Nov 7 2013, 10:33 PM

He also claimed council tax for the second home.

Posted by: The Hatter Nov 8 2013, 09:29 AM

He should have made out it was vacant like everyone else.

Posted by: Weavers Walk Nov 8 2013, 12:11 PM

Even if it's vacant you still have to fork out.