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Eric's London Flat
I do not take the parliamentary allowance for my London flat; I ceased claiming it when I became Conservative Party Chairman. To avoid ambiguity, I also don’t claim certain travel allowances available to opposition front benchers.
I purchased my London flat from my own savings and income; I received no contribution from parliament for legal fees, stamp duty, furniture or electrical goods. When I claimed the allowance I chose not to take the full amount allocated by parliament. In the last full financial year when I took the allowance I claimed less than a fifth of the total sum available.
During the parliamentary week and some other times I live in London
My family home is in Brentwood and has remained so since I moved into the constituency
Most MPs of all political parties on the outer rim of the M25 have a London base. My arrangements are not unusual. Even with the new arrangements for hours Parliament operates long, erratic and unpredictable hours and as a serious MP I hope I am more effective by living close to Westminster
I have always been open about my London flat and publish my use of parliamentary allowances on my website. Additionally, both national and local newspapers have annually publishes my parliamentary expenses.
I recognise that some MPs representing London constituencies have brought the system into disrepute by claiming for second homes equal distance from their constituency home, or for dwellings not in their ownership. I deplore this behaviour.
Parliament in April 2009 tightened the rules for constituencies that qualify of for the allowance; Brentwood and Ongar still qualifies after the change. Nevertheless, I believe that the role of Conservative Party Chairman is such that I should not make a claim.
I believe it is time for MP's salaries and expenses to be taken away from Parliament and placed in the hands of an independent body free from government interference.
Outside Views
Brentwood Gazette’s Verdict on Eric Pickles’ Parliamentary Claims
“OUR MP IS SQUEAKY CLEAN ON EXPENSES”
"Our MP is one of the few saintly figures to emerge in the aftermath of the expenses scandal.
Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, had nothing to hide when he visited the Gazette to show us his claims sheets and bills.
Mr. Pickles was among the lowest claimants for his second home in Wapping and has stopped claiming the additional costs allowance for the flat since becoming Party Chairman.
Furthermore, he has never claimed for a taxi journey, never maxed out his £400 a month food budget and never claimed for furnishings, appliances and luxury items in his home."
To read more click here
The Guardian newspaper describes Eric Pickles claims on the parliamentary allowance for his London flat as “fairly modest” (30th March 2009)
“You would expect Mr Pickles, as a member of the shadow cabinet, to have exceptionally high expenses. In fact he ranks 467th of 636 members. He has been, as far as we can measure, more fastidious, frugal and upright about his expenses than all but a handful of his colleagues.” Christopher Caldwell FT columnist (3rd April 2009)
"In fact Mr Pickles has for many years said the system needs to be changed – an opinion now finally being reiterated around Westminster – with decisions on expenses taken out of the hands of MPs and carried out by an independent body instead.
In addition, Mr Pickles has stopped claiming his second home allowance since becoming the Conservative Party chairman and also publishes his expenses online to ensure they are completely transparent." Brentwood Gazette May 2009
“…..to be fair, his expense claims are positively frugal compared to that of most MPs” Rachel Cooke - The Observer 24th May 2009
Daily Telegraph “Your MPS and their expenses: what they claimed and when”
“Claimed mortgage interest of less than £250 a month and a service charge of £750 a year for a flat in east London. One of the lower claimers. Stopped using the additional cost allowance to run a second home when made party chairman.” Daily Telegraph 22 June 2009
Last updated June 2009
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