www.whitehavennews.co.uk/opinion/you_say/yet_again_we_a -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 7/2/2009
Last Visited: 7/2/2009
Quite frankly Jamie Reed's response in The Whitehaven News last week was weak at the best!
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The extract states: "The MP claimed £8,640 in stamp duty and £3,943 in legal fees when he bought his £315,000 North London flat in May 2006 to use as his second home [Mr Reed disputes this quoted valuation of his flat, among other aspects - see Editor's Note at the end of this letter].
"He then submitted receipts worth £2,336 for two beds and two mattresses, but this was reduced to £1,000 by the fees office.
In February 2007, the (fees) office told him: 'It is the policy of the department of finance and administration to reduce costs relating to beds if they are greater than the recommended maximum of £1,000.'
It would appear that Mr Reed values his comfort very highly indeed.
The statistics show his salary is £64,766; his Additional Costs Allowance totalled £22,568 (mortgage/rent £16,410, food £1,900, furniture/electrical £94 and other undisclosed items £4,164).
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr Reed has said he did not try to claim but sought the advice of the Fees Office over whether he could claim for the beds for his north London flat.
When they said the claim was excessive and reduced it to £1,000 he thanked them for their guidance and did not appeal against the decision.
The flat is used by Mr Reed's parliamentary researcher which he says saves taxpayers' money by not having to pay for hotels.
It was stated in The Daily Telegraph's summary that the MP's flat was bought for £315,000.