MP's expenses

Seen headlines about MP "expenses"? If you believed them, you'd be forgiven for thinking MPs are on the make.

For me, the important thing is openness - now, for the first time ever, you can see "expenses" claimed. Visit the House of Commons website for details or write to me at 21 Berrylands Road, Surbiton KT5 8QX.

My "expenses" last year were £108,628. The average was over £118,000.

My "expenses" were basically staff and office costs. Nearly 70% were staff costs and nearly 20% were office costs - rent, rates, electricity and so on. The rest were costs like postage, public transport and maternity cover.

So my "expenses" could be saved - but it would mean no pay for staff or having no staff. And no office for them to work in.

I don't claim for a central London flat, though the rules say I could. I travel back to my Surbiton home.

I have never claimed the mileage allowance, though the rules say I could.

I believe MPs are well-paid, earning nearly £60,000, and we have a good pension scheme.

That's why I've just voted to increase the contribution I make to fund my pension. Voted to cut the mileage allowance, which is abused. And voted to give my staff a pay rise - they deserve it.

I look forward to the Fleet Street journalists who wrote the "scandal" headlines being as open about their salary, pensions and expenses.