John Lewis list of MPs' allowances

John Lewis list of MPs' allowances

MPs are allowed to claim up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, more than £6,000 for a bathroom and £750 for a television on their parliamentary allowances, it was disclosed today.

They can also claim reimbursement from the taxpayer for stereos worth up to £750, £300 air-conditioning units and £2,000 for a furniture suite for their second homes.

The figures came as the Commons released the so-called "John Lewis list" that finance officials use to approve or reject MPs' expenses claims.

It is a list of precedents for spending on household items under the parliamentary second-homes allowance, based on prices at the John Lewis department store.

The document, released to the Press Association news agency under the Freedom of Information Act, was not even known to most MPs until recently.

Commons releases 'John Lewis list' of MPs' allowances (The Guardian, 13 March 2008)