Conservative MPs Esther McVey and Phillip Davies face scrutiny for claiming over £30,000 in rental expenses for a London flat, despite Davies owning another property nearby, sparking debates on the transparency and ethics of parliamentary expense claims.
Esther McVey, the Conservative MP and so-described “minister for common sense,” along with her husband Phillip Davies, also a Tory MP, have been reported to claim over £30,000 in rental expenses for a London flat despite Davies owning a nearby property. The flat in question is situated in Westminster, and both MPs have been making claims on this property since 2017 for accommodation purposes while they conduct their parliamentary duties.
McVey, who earns an annual salary of £86,584 as an MP plus additional income for her role as a Cabinet Office minister without portfolio, is tasked with identifying and reducing unnecessary government spending. The revelation of their expense claims, however, has stirred controversy given McVey’s public stance on minimizing public expenditure. It’s been pointed out that these claims do not break any parliamentary rules but have raised discussions on the appropriateness and the “value for money” of such expenses, particularly in light of the roles the MPs hold.
Furthermore, it has been highlighted by the campaigning group Led By Donkeys that such practices—where MPs own property in London but choose to rent elsewhere at the taxpayer’s expense—have cumulatively cost up to £250,000. Davies defended their decision, emphasizing the logistical challenges and costs that would be incurred if he were to reside in his own property.
This situation rekindles the scrutiny over MPs’ expenses, reminiscent of the 2009 scandal, posing questions about the transparency and regulation of parliamentary expense claims. Despite the legality of their actions, the optics of this case put the focus back on the ongoing debate over the governance and ethics of MPs’ expense claims in the UK.
