PARKING costing 60p, £11.97 on pens and £1.68 for petrol – these are just some of the minor expenses claimed by MPs who earn at least £65,738.
In total, Oxfordshire’s six representatives claimed £23,447 from the public purse between May and August on everything from stationery and insurance to rent and train tickets.
The payments were published yesterday by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
But while it came as some MPs debated the value of the new system amid claims it was too bureaucratic and too expensive, Oxfordshire’s representatives broadly supported the rules.
Witney MP and Prime Minister David Cameron claimed £2,581.13, including £11.97 for pens and £23.96 for box files.
MP for Henley John Howell claimed the highest amount of any Oxfordshire MP – £10,939.58 – including £2,515 for computer software.
He did not respond to a request to comment.
Wantage MP Ed Vaizey, who claimed £3,014.34, said he was unaware he had made a claim for a 60p car park ticket and added he would take any criticism for that “on the chin”.
He added: “I am content to work with whatever system parliament approves and at the moment I am content to work with IPSA.”
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith claimed £2,547.12, including mileage of £44.80 for each return trip to Westminster and £2 for parking.
On charging for minor expenses he said: “If it was not legitimate it would not be there.
“There are lots of things I spend money on that I cannot claim for.
“That’s life. I’m not complaining.”
He said MPs had to work hard to restore public trust and IPSA was a step forward.
Mr Smith said: “One of the weaknesses of the old system was it was not bureaucratic enough.
“If you are going to have clear rules, as there should be, and independent body administrating them, as there should be, it’s not always going to be to everyone’s liking.”
Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, elected for the first time in May, claimed £3,877.50 for staff costs and two Parliamentary Blackberry mobile phone bills totalling £43.84.
She said: “The expenses system is very complicated and there have been quite a few teething problems with IPSA in the last few months.
“We do need to get those ironed out as I don’t think anyone wants their MP having to spend a lot of their time trying to work out an expenses system which is too bureaucratic.”
She added: “I do think the regular publication of members’ expenses online is very important if we are going to try and rebuild the public’s trust in politicians.
“I have certainly been very conscious that every penny I spend will have to be accounted for to my constituents and I think that is exactly how it should be.”
Banbury MP Tony Baldry claimed £433.68 for two photocopier toners.
Rejected claims were not published as IPSA said MPs needed a period of grace to adjust to the new rules.
But those errant claims will be made public in future.
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