Mark Alcock pledges not to rip the Tax Payers Off!

11.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Aug 2009

Mark outside Parliament

MPs now do no not have to provide receipts for subsistence, when away from their main home on parliamentary business, according to the new amended expenses rules.

MPs can now claim a standard £25 a night with no questions asked.

This change means that there is an increase in the food allowance from £400 to £500 a month - more than many local residents have to spend on food, heating, lighting and other living costs.

"I find this outrageous by this move, which could be seen as an attempt to increase the amount of money an MP can claim, despite all the public outrage about expenses," says Oldham West & Royton's, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Mark Alcock.

"The taxpayer has been taken for a ride by many MPs for too long. It isn't too much to ask that we have complete transparency when it comes to their expenses. This amendment to parliamentary rules is a step backwards."

Many MPs have claimed the full food allowance for years and voted against complete expenses transparency in parliament.

Mark said, "If I am elected by the residents of Oldham West & Royton including Chadderton, I promise that I will not claim any of the food allowance. I will only eat the same amount of food whether in London or my first home in Oldham. I think it is wrong that MPs can claim for food when they already have very generous salaries, and I promise that I will not rip the tax payers off!".