THE AMOUNT claimed in business costs by Solihull’s MPs in the past year has been revealed.
According to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), MPs are set a budget with which they are to ‘appropriately carry out their parliamentary functions’.
This includes the operating of their office including rent and staffing costs.
MPs are also permitted to claim for accommodation costs of a second address, such as a residence in London or one in their constituency.
According to the IPSA for the year 2023/24 Solihull’s Independent MP, Julian Knight, has claimed £3,470.04 for accommodation, £7,343.03 for office costs and £3,188 for staffing.
This is down on the 2022/23 where figures show Mr Knight claimed £3,818.77 for accommodation, £22,357.51 for office costs and £183,972.73 for staffing.
The IPSA say for 2023/24 Meriden’s Conservative MP, Saqib Bhatti claimed £6,351.05 for accommodation, £13,812.53 for office costs and £3,188 for staffing.
Similar Mr Bhatti’s figures are down on 2022/23 when the IPSA say he claimed £24,060.32 for accommodation, £17,914.75 for office costs and £168,488.53 on staffing.
The Observer contacted both MPs for comment.
