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The John Lewis List for Expenses Allowable for Members of Parliament
This is the famous John Lewis List which is a list of guide prices for the sorts of things members of Parliament typically put in expense claims for. The John Lewis List was originally created so that the clerks and accountants at the House of Commons could keep track of MPs expense claims and have a clear ruling on when they were going a bit far. However, there are some interesting other conclusions which can be drawn from the list. It's nice to see that British MPs are well paid and are allowed an upper middle class lifestyle on expenses. It's a shame this comes out of your TAX bill, but it wouldn't do if MPs were expected to live on the minimum wage. Also, the whole scenario of the John Lewis List is an interesting insight into democracy. It is a Parliamentary belief that everything that's done by Parliament is democratic, in line with the wishes of the people. So, people vote, MPs get in, and MPs can then claim all these good things, and the Parliamentary logic is that this is all with the democratic blessing of the people. Another thing shown by the John Lewis List is what a fine place John Lewis is! If your home is appointed with fittings and furnishings from that splendid establishment, then you can live well and enjoy a lifestyle akin to that of the members of Parliament.
Additional Costs Claims Guide
(the “John Lewis List”)
Staff are instructed to use the list as a guide
when assessing whether purchases are
allowable under Green Book section 3.14.1 – non-allowable
expenditure:
“furnishings (inc white goods, TV/DVD) or fittings which are
antique, luxury or
premium grade”, and section 3.10.1 – allowable
expenditure: “Members should
avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious”.
| Costings For ACA | John Lewis | *John Lewis
came out top of all retail shops February 2007 issue of Which Magazine. Taking account of cost, customer service and the variety of goods available. |
|
| Air conditioning unit | £299.99 | Max | 1st April 06 |
| Bed | £1,000.00 | Max | 1st April 06 |
| Bedside cabinet | £100.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Book case/shelf | £200.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Bookcase/cabinet | £500.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Carpet | £35.00 | Sq. Mtr. | |
| Carpet fitting | £6.50 | Sq. Mtr. | |
| Coffee maker/machine | £100.00 | Max | 21st June 06 |
| Coffee table | £250.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Dining arm chairs each | £150.00 | Max | 8th March 06 |
| Dining chairs each | £90.00 | Max | 8th March 06 |
| Dining table | £600.00 | Max | 8th March 06 |
| Dishwasher | £375.00 | Max | 28th March 06 |
| Drawer chest (5) | £500.00 | Max | 6th April 06 |
| Dressing table | £500.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Dry cleaning both personal and household are allowable within reasonable limits | |||
| Food mixer | £200.00 | Max | 18th Nov 05 |
| Freestanding mirror | £300.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Fridge/freezer combi | £550.00 | Max | 28th March 06 |
| Gas cooker | £650.00 | Max | 21st July 06 |
| Hi Fi/stereo | £750.00 | Max | 04/05 |
| Installation of new bathroom | £6,335.00 | Max | 6th April 06 |
| Installation of new kitchen | £10,000.00 | Max | 04/05 |
| Lamp table | £200.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Nest of tables | £200.00 | Max | 29th March 06 |
| Recordable DVD | £270.00 | Max | 07/08 |
| Rugs | £300.00 each | 16th March 06 | |
| Shredder | £50.00 | Max | 31st October 06 |
| Sideboard | £795.00 | Max | 15th May 06 |
| Suite of furniture | £2,000.00 | Max | 1st October 05 |
| Television set | £750.00 | Max | 04/05 |
| Tumble dryer | £250.00 | Max | 04th April 06 |
| Underlay (basic) | £6.99 | Sq. Mtr. | 29th March 07 |
| Wardrobe | £700.00 | Max | 29th March 07 |
| Washer dryer | £500.00 | Max | 03th April 06 |
| Washing machine | £350.00 | Max | 04th April 06 |
| Wooden flooring/carpets | £35.00 | Per Sq. Mtr. | 29th March 07 |
| Workstation | £150.00 | Max | 31st October 06 |
Personal items not allowed for example: hairdryers or hairstylers- shavers- toothbrushes, toiletries and bathrobes 05/06
Any form of payment protection or illness cover is not claimable from ACA in relation to mortgage payments. 05/06
In order for a member to claim the mortgage interest against his ACA home his/her name must appear on the mortgage. Feb 05/05
Garden furniture such as patio sets , loungers and barbecues are not allowed 04/05
Basic garden maintenance is allowed, but plants, shrubs, flowers, hanging baskets or other decorations etc are not. 04/05
As at 13 March 2008
Notes:
The John Lewis List is quoted from a document found within www.parliament.uk , namely http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/HofCClaimsGuide.pdf
The list has been reproduced by The BBC and other worthy news broadcasters. Therefore we can presume the document to be in the public domain and/or allowed for public use. It is certainly in the public good to have it made known rather than kept secret.
You are reading this at Zyra's website which is a helpful eccentric website with a keen interest in libertarianism, doing good in the world, and participating in the free market economy. Zyra's website has affiliate links with a great many shopping places and in this particular context a link to JOHN LEWIS! So if you'd like to buy things online there and enjoy the highlife, now's your chance.