MPs expenses: Vast contrasts between Wirrals’ MPs

Dec 16 2009 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

WIRRAL’S MPs inhabited both ends of the expenses spectrum as the latest accounts were revealed.

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford and his colleague in Wirral South, Ben Chapman MP were found to be significantly more costly to maintain than their Labour counterparts in the north and east of the peninsula.

Ben Chapman, who was criticised in the spring for following poor advice from the Fees Office over a mortgage claim, was a couple of hundred pounds off the £24,006 ceiling, with claims totalling £23,859.

His neighbour, Stephen Hesford submitted expenses totalling £18,565.

But there was a vast contrast with Birkenhead MP, Frank Field and Wallasey MP, Angela Eagle.

Mr Field claimed £8,420, while Angela Eagle maintained her reputation as one of Parliament’s most frugal members by submitting expenses totalling only £7,483.

The latest data also reveals that Mr Hesford was threatened with legal action by Lambeth Council in April, after failing to make a council tax payment on time.

The matter was subsequently resolved.