Mark Hunter's quarterly expenses

12.24.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 17th Jul 2009

Dear Residents,

As you may be aware it has been my habit for some time now to publish my Parliamentary expenses. Detailed below are my expenses for the first quarter of 2009/10 (April, May and June 2009), along with an explanation of the different expenditures and what the money has been spent on. However, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write to me at Hillson House, Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 7LE.

Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure (PAAE)

As an MP I spend half of my week at home in the constituency, but from Monday afternoon until Thursday evening in Westminster attending debates and votes - which often do not finish until 10pm or later. MPs can therefore claim the costs of staying in London to allow them to attend Parliament.

In the last three months I spent £5,135.85, well within the annual budget - this included £4,095 for the rent on a one bedroom flat, £118.99 for utilities, £246.86 for Council Tax and £675 for food.

I did not, but could have claimed for telephone bills, cleaning, service and maintenance or the flat - or could instead have claimed for a hotel for the nights I am in London.

This expenditure ensures that MPs come from all social and economic backgrounds, and that no-one is excluded from standing as an MP because of the cost of accommodation and living away from home.

Administrative and Office Expenditure (AOE)

This expenditure allows me to run my offices in Cheadle Hulme and Westminster.

During the fourth quarter I spent £1,500 in rent for the office in Cheadle Hulme, £271.48 on rates and Council Tax, £334.26 on telephone and telecommunications costs and £119.67 on utilities. I also spent £50 on petty cash, £239.66 on stationery and £36 on MP's surgery costs. This came to a total of £2,551.07, well within the annual budget.

Staffing Expenditure

This expenditure allows me to employ staff both in the constituency and in Westminster so that I can provide a good service to constituents and represent their interests in Parliament.

My team in the constituency act as a vital first point of call for local people when they contact the office, and often act on my behalf contacting local and national Government departments to resolve problems and investigate issues on behalf of local people. The staff I have there work varying hours and days during the week, but in total I employ approximately two and a half full-time equivalent staff in Cheadle Hulme. I also employ one full time member of staff in Westminster to support me in my work, to effectively raise constituency issues in Parliament through for example contributing to debates and asking questions to Government Ministers, and to do essential research.

In total I spent £24,484.31 on staff during this period, well within the annual budget.

Communications Expenditure

From 2007/8 there has been an allowance to help towards the cost of communicating with constituents - other than replying to specific constituent enquiries. For example I have used this allowance to write to residents living near Post Offices to let them know of the current closure plans.

The total spend was £134.15, well within the annual budget - this included £96.20 on stationery and £37.95 on printing reports.

Travel Expenditure

In the first quarter of 2009/10 I spent £2,521.11 on travel, well within the annual budget - almost all of which is to pay for the cost of rail fares between the constituency and Westminster a journey which I do twice weekly when Parliament is in session. I make every effort to buy my tickets in advance to obtain the cheapest fares possible, but as many of you are probably aware these are not available at all times of the day, and there are occasions when I cannot buy my ticket in advance.