£307,000 expenses for MPs

WARRINGTON’S two MPs received a total of £307,632 in expenses and allowances during the last financial year.
Helen Jones, (left) the Warrington North MP, received £165,102, made up of £152,138 in allowances and £12,964 in travel expenses.
Her Warrington South counterpart, Helen Southworth (right)– who is not seeking re-election at the General Election – received £142, 530, made up of £132,299 allowances and £10,231 travel expenses.
Allowances fall under a number of headings and the two MPs received the following amounts:
Cost of staying away from main home: Helen Jones: £23,014; Helen Southworth: £17,643.
Office running costs: Helen Jones: £25,756; Helen Southworth: £17,630.
Staffing costs: Helen Jones: £85,244; Helen Southworth: £85,361.
Centrally purchased stationery: Helen Jones: £2,196; Helen Southworth: £483.
Stationery associated postage costs: Helen Jones: £4,778; Helen Southworth: £1,787.
Central IT provision: Helen Jones: £1,353; Helen Southworth: £293; Communications allowance: Helen Jones: £9.797; Helen Southworth: £9,102.
Travelling expenses include car mileage, train and air – although Helen Jones made no claim for air travel.
Helen Jones claimed mileage of £2,997 and rail travel of £9,967. Helen Southworth claimed mileage of £1,460, rail travel of £8,235 and air travel of £367. She also £169 travel expenses for family and employees.