Sheffield MPs spent £1.3 million on 'business expenses', figures reveal
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The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority shows that the total business costs for the city’s MPs was £1,337,510 during the financial year 2020/21.
The IPSA allocates public funds to MPs to cover costs they incur while carrying out Parliamentary duties – not personal expenses – and there are rules on what MPs can claim for.
Here’s a breakdown of what each MP spent:
Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake
Accommodation £23,441.39
MP Travel £1,572.04
Office Costs £30,839.00
Staff Travel £20.12
Staffing £184,457.37
Total: £240,329
Ms Blake was approached for comment
MORE POLITICS: Broken Brexit promise set to cost South Yorkshire £900m says Sheffield MP Paul Blomfield
Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield
Accommodation £20,970.00
MP Travel £2,304.00
Office Costs £18,995.84
Staffing £178,942.91
Total: £221,211
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Hide AdA spokesman for Mr Blomfield said: “All Mr Blomfield’s spending is set out on his website and it has always been totally transparent.”
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss
Accommodation £22,710.65
MP Travel £3,652.72
Miscellaneous £4,759.91
Office Costs £27,880.03
Staffing £165,253.26
Total: £224,254
Ms Furniss said: “Since 2016, my team and I have dealt with over 23,000 cases, providing answers, help, advice and support to many constituents who are dealing with housing repairs, asylum applications and countless other issues.
“I have always balanced the need to ensure value for money with the needs of my constituents when determining how to run my office.
“Business cost expenses ensure that thousands of people in Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough get the help and support they need and that I am best representing them in Parliament.”
Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh
Accommodation £16,927.42
MP Travel £2,980.28
Office Costs £23,951.78
Staff Travel £204.80
Staffing £156,067.85
Total: £200,129
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Hide AdMs Haigh said: “I work hard to ensure that business costs remain as low as possible and be as accessible as possible within the constituency so that residents and businesses can call on me whenever they need me.
“I know that many of my constituents are feeling the pressure with increased cost of living and rising energy bills and need support more than ever before. I’ll keep working hard to make sure I represent them, and we get a government that will introduce the policies that support people here in Sheffield.”
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts
Accommodation £22,849.68
MP Travel £2,335.64
Miscellaneous £52.60
Office Costs £16,531.80
Staff Travel £70.65
Staffing £168,172.06
Total: £210,009
Mr Betts was approached for comment
Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates
Accommodation £31,147.21
MP Travel £5,335.78
Office Costs £26,494.13
Staff Travel £1,984.71
Staffing £176,618.35
Total: £241,578
Ms Cates said: “These business costs enable me to serve my constituents across the constituency. Parliament provides funding to maintain offices and employ staff in both Westminster and South Yorkshire, and to cover the costs associated with performing my duties and supporting my constituents.”