Welwyn Hatfield MP does not claim for a second home (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Welwyn Hatfield MP does not claim for a second home

11:07am Tuesday 15th December 2009 in

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Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps continues to show his colleagues up by claiming for hotel stays rather than a second home.

Parliamentary authorities, which published claims covering 2004/5 to 2007/8 online in June, have added 2008/9 and the first quarter of 2009/10.

The Tory shadow housing minister, who commutes from Hatfield to Westminster, has never charged the taxpayer for a second home despite being eligible for it and stays at hotels when necessary.

Mr Shapp's expenses show he has used £4104.07 in public money between April 2008 and March 2009 to pay for overnight accommodation - costing in the region of £100 to £350 - and food bills. The maximum MP allowance is £25,000 a year.

Mr Shapps appeared on the Telegraph's list of saintly politicians, who refused to abuse the expenses system, during revelations of unlawful MP allowance claims earlier this year.

He told the Review: "I have always taken the approach that it's tax payers' money and not my own. "You should only spend it when you have to do your job. "I always prefer to get home and make the effort to do so. I'm pleased to have come in low again."