Harriett Baldwin MP this week continued her commitment to having ‘transparent expenses’ with the publication of expenses approved by the independent watchdog. The MP for West Worcestershire welcomed the publication and commented: “Following the election of a new Parliament, an independent watchdog was appointed to set budgets for MPs and to approve and publish their expenses.” “Complete transparency is an important step towards re-gaining the confidence of the public in the work we do representing our constituents in Westminster.” The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will today (Thursday) publish all MPs expenses and these documents will also be made available on Harriett’s website at www.harriettbaldwin.com. Harriett Baldwin added: “Constituents will see that there are both start-up costs and ongoing costs running an office in Malvern. The annual budget for the constituency office and for advice surgery premises rental is limited to £10,663 and so far I have claimed over £3,000. I also have a £10,394 annual budget for stationery, web support, office equipment, furniture, legal services and so on. So far I have spent over £4,000 on these items. “I have held weekly surgeries across the constituency and these have been attended by several hundred people. In addition, I have replied to letters and emails from thousands of constituents and raised many of their issues with Ministers. “I drive between 300 and 400 miles each week. This is both constituency travel over a large area and a 274 mile round trip from the constituency to Westminster when Parliament is sitting. Mileage claims are reimbursed at 40 pence in the mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25 pence on any subsequent miles. “The other major annual budget item is £10,866 to maintain a second home and I have claimed over £5,000 on rent, council tax, heat, electricity and insurance.” The detailed expenses list for every MP will be available for full scrutiny on the IPSA website. www.parliamentary-standards.org.uk