HEY BIG SPENDER - BYRNE TOPS MP'S EXPENSES LIST 26-10-2007 Hodge Hill's Liam Byrne tops the expenses league for MP's in the West Midlands - and rates as the second most expensive in the country. Other high spenders include the Black Country MP's Tom Watson and Ian Austin. Byrne who is both the Minister for the West Midlands and Immigration Minister racked up claims of more than £178,000; Watson £151,000 and Austin £150,000. Others from the region with above average expenses were Khalid Mahmood, Roger Godsiff, Adrian Bailey, Richard Burden, Lynne Jones, Sion Simon and Lynda Waltho - although the Tory Andrew Mitchell and Lib Dem Lorely Burt also fall into this category. Notably low spenders include Geoffrey Robinson (£102,000), David Winnick (£103,000) Richard Shepherd (£105,000) and Jon Spellar (109,000) To see West Midlands MP's ranked in order, click here (pdf format). Are MPs value for money? And are the ones who claim big expenses working harder than those who don't? Leave a comment on our Message Board. |
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