I’ve decided to publish a break-down of my second home expenses ahead of the date when receipts will be published by the House of Commons. When I have been out and about in Swindon meeting people they have understandably been anxious for reassurance about what expenses I claim for and why. I want to be accountable to constituents in Swindon South and I want to maintain your trust. Of course I don’t have the physical receipts because they have all been submitted to the House of Commons, but I thought I could at least provide a break-down here from my own records. You will be able to check this against the actual receipts when the fees office release them in July. The government has already made a number of changes to expenses but will be making more changes in the future, and I would welcome your comments as to what you think is appropriate to claim for in the future and anything that isn’t.

When I became an MP I realised I could not regularly work up to midnight in London, return to Swindon every night and return to work early the next day and be an effective MP. I claimed the second homes allowance and that enabled me to stay overnight in London. I bought items of furniture using that allowance but at the same time I financed setting up my office in Swindon, and I have continued to subsidise my office amounting to approximately £10,000 over the last four years.

I took the decision earlier this year not to claim the second homes allowance from 1 April as the house rules changed and it became possible for me to opt into the new London Allowance of £7,500, taxed at 40 per cent (the second homes allowance is now worth £24,000 and is not taxed). I have done this because I believe the tax-free second homes allowance is now untenable and should be replaced as soon as possible. However, when I was a newly elected MP I needed the second homes allowance in order to fulfil my parliamentary and constituency duties.

In addition to following the rules I have based my expenses claims on two principles ever since I became an MP in 2005. The first is that I don’t want to profit from the taxpayer in the short or long-term. The second is that my claims should be for expenses I would not have if I was doing another job working in Swindon only, rather than living and working in two places (London and Swindon) as MPs have to. The majority of items I have bought are one-offs, apart from replacement items when a cupboard collapsed and all the contents were smashed, and water damage to towels and bedding following a leak.  

I want to see the House of Commons introduce a system which is transparent yet enables all MPs to fulfill their parliamentary and constituency duties fully. I also pledge to clean up the second jobs scandal, where many MPs work not for their constituencies but for commercial or lobby companies despite receiving a full parliamentary salary. I also believe that MPs who make a profit on the home they claim parliamentary expenses for should have to pay capital gains tax.

We all accept that the system needs changing, but if you have particular views you can contact me at snelgrovea@parliament.uk . I welcome comments from all but if you would like a response, please include your address so I know you are in my constituency.”