The Green Book

Additional Costs Allowance (ACA)* Section 3

Only those additional costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred to enable you to stay overnight away from your only or main UK residence, either in London or in the constituency. If you receive the London Supplement you will not be eligible.

What supporting documents do I have to provide?

We require receipts for items of expenditure of £250* or more (except for food), and for all hotel bills. If you are claiming rental or mortgage interest we ask for a copy of your rental agreement or your latest mortgage interest statement. Please supply copies of all relevant documentation if you change your arrangements. Section 3.8 explains the requirements more fully.

What do I have to do if I want to change my mortgage or move home?

Please consult us in advance. There are strict rules on the costs that can be claimed, and you may need to change the nomination of your main home.

*This has been amended.

A What no-one seems to be asking with the TELEGRAPH exposѐ, if there is no requirement to submit receipts for food under £250, why did so many do so? Did no-one in the Slush Office put together what can or cannot be claimed?

3.1.1. Scope of allowance

The Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) reimburses Members of Parliament for expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred when staying overnight away from their main UK residence (referred to below as their main home) for the purpose of performing Parliamentary duties. This excludes expenses that have been incurred for purely personal or political purposes

3.3.1. Principles

You must ensure that arrangements for your ACA claims are above reproach and that there can be no grounds for a suggestion of misuse of public money. Members should bear in mind the need to obtain value for money from accommodation, goods or services funded from the allowances.

Just about every utterance from MP's has broken the Rules above. Even more disconcerting is that it also contravenes Fraud and Theft legislation.

So stop pussy-footing about and put every claim before the Police Fraud Squad and a brave and independent prosecutor.