Dear Sir Ian

I have decided to respond to the aspects of the consultation on MPs Expenses where I believe that I have a better solution to ensuring that Members of Parliament are able to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

The two areas which I would like to be considered are:
1.The cost of renting office space in the constituency.
2.The ability for some Members to have a room in London for just a few nights a month.

1.I have always struggled to meet the reasonable office costs in the South East. The rent and Business Rates in Crawley, with it being home to Gatwick Airport, are much higher than for many Members whose constituencies do not attract such high rates.
I have always found it most unfair that a set amount is available regardless of local costs.

I have always relied on family members to do maintenance of office equipment, repairs, furniture building and many other tasks for NO RENUMERATION because I simply cannot afford to pay to have these jobs professionally done from the office expenditure account.

I would favour a system where the rent for a local office is met centrally, having been assessed to be reasonable for its purpose, then the claiming of running costs could remain as they are, as there is much less geographical variation in the cost of utilities and office equipment needs.
 

2.Overnight accommodation.
I would favour a very different solution for Members, like me, who would be delighted to return home at a reasonable hour each night. The work of an MP precludes what would be considered normal commuting.

My journey from Crawley to Westminster takes an hour and a half. The last vote is often up to 11pm on Monday and Tuesday. The need to return at 8.55am for the start of a Committee, or Debate happens most weeks. Getting home at 12.30am, and then leaving again before 7.30 does not offer a reasonable nights sleep.

There are also times when being in London before 9am is essential for the start of a Debate or Committee – the House offers no concession to a train delay or tube hold up; there are times when I am afraid to travel home because I am worried that I will not get back in time. It was for this reason that I did sleep on a camp bed in my Portcullis House office, which I have been asked to cease.

Hotel space in and around Westminster is horrendously expensive; in my experience £120-180 per night. I think that this is an outrageous price to pay for a clean bed four times a month. It would be highly preferable to have a bookable room with a shower within walking distance. I would prefer that this was administered by the House Authorities, to recycle the accommodation costs back into Parliament.

I firmly believe that for Members such as myself who are able to commute home most days, but occasionally need to stay in Westminster this would be an excellent solution.



Yours truly,

Laura Moffatt