GWENT MPs claimed more than £100,000 for living costs at their second homes, the latest round of claims published by the fees office yesterday show.
The latest claims cover April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 and the six MPs across Gwent claimed a total of £93,572.20.
These cover interest on mortgage payments, food, utility bills, council tax and other household bills, such as phones, broadband and a TV licence.
Electrical goods and furnishings for the second home were also claimed for, including phones, vacuum cleaners, bookcases and bedding.
MPs can also claim for food while they stay in their London home.
Top claimer was Islwyn MP Don Touhig with £23,898.69 and Newport West's Paul Flynn was the lowest with £10,008.93 Newport East's Jessica Morden claimed £13,407.31, MP for Torfaen, Paul Murphy, claimed £14,294.29, Blaenau Gwent's Dai Davies was reimbursed with £22,441.67 and Monmouth's David Davies submitted claims totalling £23,815.60.
* To see your MPs expense claims go to the website below.
Big difference in Lords' claims
FORMER Newport East MP, Lord Howarth of Newport, was one of the top claimers in the upper house.
For the 147 days he was in the Lords, he claimed £30,963 for overnight stays and food, £12,488 for subsistence during the day, £13,826 in office costs and £3,360 in travel expenses for his car - a total of £60,637.
By comparison, ex-Islwyn MP Neil Kinnock's claims totalled £18,179 for his 98 days attendance.
His claims were £8,042 for subsistence, £9,971 for office costs and £166 for free postage. Lord Kinnock didn't claim anything for overnight stays or travel.
