BOURNEMOUTH West MP Conor Burns saw the biggest increase in expenses spending compared to other politicians in the conurbation last year and claimed as little as 31p for stationery, new figures reveal.
Latest figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) show the Conservative MP's total business costs for the 2020-21 financial year were £192,737.10.
Conor Burns’ costs were up from £178,920.15 the year before, but below the average for all Members of Parliament, of £203,880.
The MP saw a rise of £13,816.95 in business spending between 2019/20 and 2020/21.
By comparison, Darren Henry, a fellow Tory MP for Broxtowe, had costs of £280,900 last year, while Philip Hollobone, the member for Kettering, had just £80,700.
The MP in the conurbation who claimed the most in expenses was Michael Tomlinson, member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, costing the taxpayer around £217,000.
READ MORE: Revealed: Bournemouth MPs business expenses
READ MORE: At a glance: What your MP spent last year and what on
Minister of State Conor Burns, who was elected in May 2010, spent £167,000 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £147,500 on staff wages and £19,500 on other office expenditures.
And he spent £22,600 of his accommodation budget (of £23,000), and a further £3,200 on travel and subsistence.
The IPSA figures also reveal the 177 individual claims made by Conor Burns in 2020-21, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £147,457.07.
At the other end of the scale, the smallest one-off expense the 49-year-old claimed was 31p for stationery and printing.
The Bournemouth Daily Echo contacted Conor Burns for a comment but he failed to respond.
Conor Burns's five largest types of costs were:
1) Payroll – costing £147,457.07
2) Rent – £21,633.37
3) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,050.00
4) Stationery & printing – £2,508.85
5) Utilities – £2,490.22
He also spent £1,971.3 on a working from home allowance.
Read more on your MPs expenses:
- Michael Tomlinson: Dorset MP spent £25k more than next biggest spender
- Sir Robert Syms: Poole MP cost tax payer £170,000 in business expenses last year
- Tobias Ellwood: Bournemouth East MP only conurbation politician to reduce spending
- Sir Christopher Chope: “We keep a tight ship”: Christchurch MP spending revealed
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