CHILDREN'S minister Beverley Hughes spends £150 of taxpayers' cash each month cleaning her second home.
The MP for Urmston and Stretford claims about £1,000 a month renting her Westminster flat and regularly claims £350 - the maximum monthly food allowance.
MPs' expenses latest
During the last four years she has also claimed £800 to have a suite reupholstered, £150 on curtains and £45 on crockery.
The mother-of-three, who is 58, says she believes her claims have been 'appropriate.'
She adds that as a woman living alone in London she wants the security of living close to the Commons and her rental contract stipulates she must keep the flat clean and in good condition.
She has not changed her Flixton home or her Westminster flat since she was elected in 1997. Ms Hughes said: "I think if you look at my expense it is just really basic upkeep that I claim for. It is one of the conditions of my lease to keep the flat clean, to keep the windows clean, about keeping the place reasonably decorated.
"I got a sofa bed and a chair recovered, I took them with me from my home in Manchester in 1997 and I did not buy new ones, they are 20 years old and I have had them re-covered.
"I do feel I have had a very 'appropriate' approach to public money. I have had to spend for basic upkeep and refurbished where possible, repaired where necessary.
"In 2007/8 I bought a radio, a table lamp and some bookcases, which I paid for myself." Ms Hughes said her office had received a handful of letters about MPs expenses and out campaigning on the doorstep last weekend it was the main issue people wanted to discuss.
She said: "There has clearly been abuse - appalling abuse - which I do not begin to defend, I think they are outrageous. Most MPs are honest and take a very proper approach to public money and this has tarred us all with the same brush.
"I think the changes in the rules will lead to people buying more from their own salaries. It is expensive to live close to Westminster.
"As a woman I do not want to live in a far-flung place."
MPs' expenses latest
Tweet
Beverley Hughes expenses
May 22, 2009
Showing comments 1 to 7 and replies | View All
chris (22/05/2009 at 10:38)
RT, UK (22/05/2009 at 12:11)
They just do not get do they?
How real life works...
MCFCANDY, M41 (22/05/2009 at 16:02)
Frostee, Oldham (22/05/2009 at 16:13)
Then how about rolling up your sleeves Ms Hughes and doing what millions of other women 'workers' have to do - clean the damned place yourself! And what a shame that all other working women cannot have expenses to allow them the security to live near their place of employment. And why are you claiming any food allowance at all - don't you eat at all when in your constituency? Of course I know why you do claim - 'because it's within the rules.'
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (22/05/2009 at 17:48)
And she also rates herself? I think its up to the voters to tell her if shes been "Appropriat"or not.
George Kane, Stretford (02/06/2009 at 11:32)
adam butcher (21/06/2009 at 10:00)
She did very little to try and help in my matter and in the end "suggested I pay" the amount.
Beverly couldn't understand that i couldn't physically afford to give 40% of my wages away.
It's nice when they can claim 350 a month for food, then tell me to live in poverty.