How much each Bristol MP claimed in business costs in 2020/21

New figures have revealed how much each Bristol MP cost the taxpayer last year.

Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show all UK MPs’ business costs for 2020-21.

Across the country, the total costs claimed by MPs last year rose by 4%, to £132.5 million, with the average being £203,880.

In Bristol, the city’s four MPs all claimed more than the national average.

Business costs cover essentials required by MPs while carrying out their parliamentary duties including staffing, office costs and travel.

MPs cannot claim for personal costs, such as food and drink, during their normal working day, and all claims must be compliant with IPSA rules and accompanied by evidence.

Darren Jones, Bristol North West

Darren Jones, who was elected in June 2017, spent £208,900 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £174,900 on staff wages and £34,000 on other office expenditures.

And he spent £33,900 of his accommodation budget (of £33,900), and a further £2,900 on travel and subsistence.

In total there were 160 individual claims made, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £153,181.68.

The smallest one-off expense the 35-year-old claimed was 88p for stationery and printing.

The MP’s five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £153,181.68

2) Rent – £47,251.82

3) Bought-in services – £17,730.00

4) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,600.00

5) Equipment - purchase – £3,209.15

Thangam Debbonaire, Bristol West

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Thangam Debbonaire, who was elected in May 2015, spent £217,200 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £190,600 on staff wages and £26,600 on other office expenditures.

And she spent £21,700 of her accommodation budget (of £23,000), and a further £2,800 on travel and subsistence.

In total there were 129 individual claims made, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £190,579.98.

At the other end of the scale, the smallest one-off expense the 55-year-old claimed was £1 for a rail booking fee.

The MP’s five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £190,579.98

2) Rent – £31,380.00

3) Pooled Staffing Services – £4,500.00

4) Equipment - purchase – £3,881.28

5) Working From Home Allowance – £2,321.31

Kerry McCarthy, Bristol East

Kerry McCarthy, who was elected in May 2005, spent £206,400 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £180,300 on staff wages and £26,100 on other office expenditures.

And she spent £21,000 of her accommodation budget (of £23,000), and a further £2,500 on travel and subsistence.

In total, there were 136 individual claims made, with the most expensive being for staff payroll – £176,291.35.

The smallest one-off expense the 56-year-old claimed was £11.50 for congestion charge and toll.

The MP’s five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £179,705.35

2) Rent – £29,755.00

3) Bought-in services – £4,000.00

4) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,600.00

5) Equipment - purchase – £2,934.51

Karin Smyth, Bristol South

Karin Smyth, who was elected in May 2015, spent £198,100 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £174,100 on staff wages and £23,900 on other office expenditures.

And she spent £27,400 of her accommodation budget (of £33,900), and a further £2,100 on travel and subsistence.

In total there were 125 individual claims made, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £169,123.51.

The smallest one-off expense the 57-year-old claimed was 61p for stationery and printing.

The MP’s five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £169,123.51

2) Rent – £29,281.25

3) Bought-in services – £9,215.00

4) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,600.00

5) Equipment - purchase – £3,186.43