Sarah Welcomes MP's Expenses Publication

5.13.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Jun 2009

Local MP Sarah Teather works hard to sort out local problems

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has welcomed the full publication and breakdown of MP's second home allowances and office running costs.

The publications shows that Sarah, who has always opposed attempts to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information legislation and voted for reform of parliamentary allowances last year, has not claimed any taxpayer's money for a second home.

Earlier this year Sarah tabled a parliamentary motion calling for the second home allowance to be scrapped for London MPs.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"It is a scandal that Labour and Conservative MPs worked together to try and keep such important information secret. This is a good day for our democracy, but it should have come much sooner. The public have a right to know how MPs spend their money.

"I have never claimed money for a second home, or any of the trappings that go with it. I enjoy living in Willesden Green and travelling to work with my constituents on the tube. At a time when so many people are struggling to pay their own bills, it is outrageous that some London MPs have asked people to stump up for their bills as well.

"My office in Willesden Green is open every day of the week to help local people with their problems. Many of the people who help me generously give their time for free. We do need to spend money on making phone calls or sending letters to try and sort out local issues, and I am happy that these costs are now online for everyone to see.

"I am pleased that second home allowances for London MPs will finally be abolished next year, and I will continue my campaign for the reform of parliament so that every MP is required to operate in an open, transparent and honest way."

Cllr Chris Leaman, Brent Liberal Democrat Spokesperson, said:

"Taxpayers money should be spent on things like hospitals, schools and housing; not for Dawn Butler to play supermarket sweep. Her claims for household bills and bathroom suites will make local people sick to their stomach.

"Pensioners in Brent South will be outraged that at a time when they were struggling to heat their homes Dawn Butler was taking their money to subsidise her lifestyle. Dawn Butler shouldn't need a second home as a Brent MP; she took one at taxpayers' expense and slapped each one of her constituents across the face in the process.

"Time and time again Sarah Teather voted for reform while Brent's Labour MPs marched through the voting lobbies to defend Gordon Brown and the status quo. Dawn Butler needs to do the right thing, by apologising to Brent residents and paying back the money that she has taken from us."

Related Links:

Running costs for Sarah Teather's local Willesden office.

Dawn Butler MP's second home expenses.

Barry Gardiner MP's second home expenses.

Sarah Teather's parliamentary motion to ban second home expenses for London MPs.

Dawn Butler MP's successful amendment cancelling reform of parliament.

"The Saints": Sarah Teather in the Daily Telegraph.

"What Planet Were MPs Living On?": article by Sarah Teather in the Guardian.