MP says rise in expenses due to ‘difficult’ time since 2020

Sir Graham Brady, the MP for Altrincham and Sale West, whose expenses rose more than 10 per cent in the last full financial year says this was down to the “difficult” time of the last 24 months.

Brady, who is also chair of the highly influential 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, claimed around £195,400 in the 12 months after April 2020.

According to data released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), Brady spent £162,600 on staff, £19,000 on his office and £5,400 on costs at the accommodation he owns. A further £8,300 was spent on travel and subsistence while travelling.

IPSA insists that it is important to look these numbers in the context of the amount of work done by MPs in their constituencies and in Parliament.

Around 430 MPs claimed more than Sir Graham, and in response to the data, the MP for Altrincham and Sale West said: “My claims for business costs in relation to my parliamentary duties reflect the cost of travel to Westminster and running a busy parliamentary office, which has continued to provide a high level of service to my constituents throughout the difficult period of the last two years”.