MPs’ expenses released

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael claimed £129,339.18 in expenses last year – the 80th highest of all 654 MPs’ claims.

Figures, released last week by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, include each MP’s overall expenditure on staffing, accommodation, constituency office costs – including office rental costs, general administration costs, and travel and subsistence costs in the financial year 2010/11.

Mr Carmichael claimed £13,418.74 for his constituency office, £7,500.33 for general administration, and £70,084.88 for staffing costs.

Under his direct parliamentary expenses, Mr Carmichael claimed a further £9,260.17 for accommodation and £29,075.06 for travel and subsistence, giving an annual total of £129,339.18.

The figures released do not include MPs’ £65,738 basic salary, any ministerial salaries, loans, or cash deposits for accommodation; or extra payments for chairing parliamentary committees or other paid parliamentary duties.

Nationally, MPs claimed £70m – down from £98m in 2009/10.