Statement on MEP expenses

There have been a lot of stories in the press recently about MEP expenses and hiring of family or relatives.

Just for the record I'd like to say that I do not employ family members or relatives as staff, service providers or paying agents. I have two service providers and one paying agent who manage my accounts and payroll administration.

I run an office in West Bromwich in my constituency as well as having offices in Brussels and Strasbourg. My staffing team comprises three full-time members of staff, of which two are based in the West Midlands. One is a Political Advisor; the other a Research and Constituency Assistant. I have one full-time Parliamentary Assistant in Brussels. From time to time I have up to two interns/stagiaires in Brussels. I also employ one part-time consultant in the UK dealing with communications and IT.

Together with other European Parliamentary Labour Party MEPs, I contribute to the salary of an additional staff member, who is based in London and line-managed by the EPLP Secretary General.

You’re probably aware that MEPs are paid the same salary as MPs by the UK Treasury; however the European Parliament pays a daily allowance for the days when I am in Brussels or Strasbourg to cover the costs of accommodation and subsistence. They also cover travel between the UK and the European Parliament.

The only additional professional activity I carry out is a weekly radio phone-in show that I present on Radio XL. The show broadcasts across the West Midlands, and I do not receive any remuneration for it.

Occasionally I am invited to attend conferences and seminars abroad, the costs of which are covered by the organisers. For example, last year I was invited by the Government of India to participate in a programme for parliamentarians of Indian origin in New Delhi and Mumbai where I, along with other parliamentarians from Europe and the US, discussed relations with India. And in November 2007 I attended the India Economic Forum conference in New Delhi, sponsored by the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN).

Like many I have a love of football. I am a Friend of Football in the European Parliament, as well as an Amigo de Real Madrid. In this capacity, I have received two tickets to attend two football matches this year.

You are probably aware that Labour MEPs' general expenditure and secretarial allowances is reviewed through an audit process. This is carried out by an independent qualified accountant who provides the EPLP with a signed letter, testifying that the allowances have been spent in accordance with Parliament rules and the EPLP's own guidelines.
See http://www.eurolabour.org.uk/topics/2465.html.

For my Audit Certificate, please follow this link: Audit Certificate (pdf 19 KB)

See also:

Guidance note on the use of Members' allowances (pdf 185 KB)

Staff Contract Principles (pdf 121 KB)