THE EXPENSES and business costs of Cumbria's MPs have been revealed - with some claiming more than the average Parliamentarian.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has revealed that Workington MP Mark Jenkinson claimed £249,881 in business costs during the 2020-21 financial year - one of the highest of all members of Parliament.

On average, Members of Parliament claimed £203,880.

Across the country, the average cost of an MP was up 29 percent, from £158,103, in 2019-20.

Payroll was the largest expense for Mr Jenkinson last year, costing £164,692. Rent was the second largest expense at £32,500, equipment cost £13,828. Stationary and printing cost £5,400 and mileage cost £5,066.

The smallest one-off expense he claimed was £1 for 'newspapers, journals, magazine'.

'Higher travel expenses'

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison claimed £207,057 in business costs for the 2020-21.

This was an increase on £197,732 the year before and slightly above the average Member of Parliament's expenses of £203,880.

Mrs Harrison's largest type of business cost was payroll at £164,956, accommodation at £17,160, rail at £3,894, pooled staffing services at £3,056 and utilities at £2,514.

Copeland Council Labour member Joseph Ghayouba said that higher travel expenses are likely to be claimed by Cumbrian MPs as they live futher away from Westminster than most: "It's going to be a problem for whichever MP gets in."

But he said: "If she wants to find evidence transport costs are higher for people working up here she doesn't need to look any further than her own expenses claims."

Trudy Harrison MP said: “It is absolutely right that my expenses, and those of every MP, are published and open to scrutiny so taxpayers can see exactly where their money is being spent.

“My biggest expenditure is on my staff, whom I hold in the highest regard and who go above and beyond every day for our constituents.

"In terms of travel and accommodation, as an MP who lives some distance away from London, my costs are unavoidably higher than those who live in or closer to Westminster.

“The remainder of my expenses relate to everyday costs one would expect in order for myself and my team to carry out Parliamentary duties, including phone, broadband, IT and utilities for my constituency office in Bootle.

“It is clear when you view my expenses that every penny is accounted for and I keep tight control on expenditure.”

Mrs Harrison's office clarified that ‘pooled staffing services’ refers to a subscription that MPs can chose to have that allows them and their staff to access a policy and research database which is a vital tool in case work.

Dr Neil Hudson of Penrith and the Border claimed £176,000 last year, and John Stevenson of Carlisle claimed £197,516.

'Majority of office costs are staffing'

Mark Jenkinson MP said: “My job is twofold. I represent my constituents at Westminster and I also work locally to solve issues that affect my constituents, and organisations and businesses within my constituency. Fundamentally, my job is to try to make life better for those living in the Workington constituency.

"The budgets that I have to work within are set by the Independent Parliament Standards Authority who also handle the evidence for every claim.

"Despite the narrative that some, including the media, would like to portray, it is incumbent on me to point out that none of it ends up in my pocket without me first having paid it out for allowable office costs which have to be approved by IPSA in line with the published scheme.

He said: "It is important that I am able to carry out my duties as the MP for Workington in Westminster while at the same time, ensuring Workington constituents have direct access to my local office.

"The vast majority of my office costs are staffing, which is handled directly by IPSA within their defined job descriptions and payscales.”