A Northumberland MP claimed the highest travel expenses in the Conservative Party, according to new data.
The latest figures released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority reveal which MPs across the UK have been claiming the most on travel expenses in the latest financial year (2021/2022).
Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, had the highest expenses in the Conservative Party, claiming £28,789 – only beaten overall by Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) claiming £31,572 worth of expenses this annum, placing him at the top of the list.
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MPs are allowed to claim for travel costs which are in support of the MPs' parliamentary functions. This can include MPs whose constituencies are outside of London who are allowed to claim for the cost of travelling between their constituency and Westminster.
Travel expenses for Members of Parliament claimed include air travel, congestion charge and toll, mileage (bicycle, car and motorcycle), parking, rail travel, vehicle hire cost and other public transport.
All the MPs featured in the top 10 highest claimed expenses are based in Scotland and the North of England, suggesting they may travel long distances at a regular rate.
The figures compiled by vehicle leasing company, Select Car Leasing show John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk CC) and Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine CC), fill the second and third highest expense claims for the Conservative Party totalling £22,316 and £17,943 respectively.
Labour followed with the second largest total amount claimed for travel expenses (£420,000), with 101 MPs making a total of 7,962 claims, averaging at £3,440 per MP. Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley CC) claimed the most travel expenses within the Labour Party – 45th highest overall – with a total of £8,812 in the last year.
Surprisingly, despite only having two members claim, the Alba Party still accumulated over £20,000 worth of travel expenses, making it the fifth highest overall.
Six members of the current cabinet including newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed no travel expenses in the last year.
But it was revealed Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland claimed the most of any current cabinet member, placing £13,558 on expenses, with over £8,700 spent on rail travel alone.
This is over £2,500 more than any other current cabinet member and £11,000 more than the UK’s average full-time commuter.
Following closely in second place is newly appointed Attorney General Victoria Prentis, claiming £10,694 worth of travel expenses. In third place, Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs has claimed over £9,100 worth of travel expenses, with over £5,200 on car mileage alone.
Notably, out of the current cabinet's 31 members, 30 of the top expenses consisted of either car mileage or rail/railcard claims. Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, appeared the anomaly having claimed £342.50 on congestion charges, making her the only member with this top expense.
Additionally, John Nicholson (Ochil and South Perthshire) claimed almost £2,400 on business class flights for only six trips.
Mr Opperman did not respond to requests for comment.
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