MPs’ expenses tally
Marion Fellows and Neil Gray defend near £100k
The area’s two MPS have claimed almost £100,000 in expenses in the past year.
Wishaw MP Marion Fellows and Newmains and Shotts MP Neil Gray – who were both elected to Parliament in May last year – claimed a combined total of £91, 360.25 up to March 2016.
Mrs Fellows claimed £ 45,497.01 whilst Mr Gray was given £45,863.24 in expenses.
And Mrs Fellows believes her expenditure is ‘justified’ and welcomes the publishing of MP’s expenses.
She said: “I am glad that the expenses of public officials are being monitored. It is important that we do not allow abuse of public funds like that which happened during the expenses scandal.
“I always ensure that all expenses are justified and are value for money. My expenses have shown this to be the case.”
The figures come from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the body which was set up in the wake of the MPs expenses scandal of 2009.
Mrs Fellows claimed £17,670.99 in accommodation costs with Mr Gray spending £18,315.
Other big claims were in relation to travel with Mr Gray claiming £17,516.84 and Mrs Fellows filing for £6661.33.
Mr Gray said: “All allowances spent are to allow me to carry out my duties as a Member of Parliament, they have all been approved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
“I do my best to keep the spending as low as possible, but clearly I need to pay for things like office rent, stationery and surgery venue hires to carry out my responsibilities.”
See www.parliamentary-standards. org.uk