Expenses
Declaration of Financial Interests
I currently employ three permanent members of staff and one member of staff (who is on maternity leave), none of whom are family members. Two members of staff are based in my London office and one member of staff assists me in my Brussels and Strasbourg offices. Each member of staff was employed through a fair and transparent recruitment process and are paid in line with recommended Labour Party pay scales on Trade Union approved contracts.
From time to time, I accept students in both my Brussels and London offices and cover all their expenses. For the last two years, I have had a student from the University of Leeds' MA course in European Parliamentary Studies. As a Labour MEP, I contribute bi-annually to the salary of an EPLP member of staff who is managed by the EPLP General Secretary. All staff roles can be viewed in the contacts section of my website.
I do not receive funding for my political activities other than from the European Parliament. This allowance covers my staff salaries and expenses, tax, national insurance and pension contributions. All my staff's travel and subsistence allowances are paid from this account. I also receive an allowance for the maintenance of my constituency office. This sum is used to pay for rent, rates, water, gas, electricity, internet, phone, publications, newspaper subscriptions and other general office expenses.
My paying agent is independent and is qualified to carry out my payroll and payment of tax, national insurance. I also employ a separate independent auditor who audits my accounts at the end of each financial year. For a copy of my audit certificate for the year ending 31st December 2007 please click here. This has been carried out in accordance with EPLP rules.
Please click here to view the official EPLP rules http://www.eurolabour.org.uk/topics/2465.html
My declaration of financial interests is available on my European Parliament Website:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/view.do?country=GB&partNumber=1&zone=London&language=EN&id=2099
