In advance of the publication by the House of Commons on Thursday of the
costs of running each MP’s office for the past year, Michael Fabricant
is publishing the ranking of his expenditure: how it compares with the
other 645 Members of Parliament.

Out of 645 Members of Parliament, the cost of running his office
(excluding staffing) was 559th out of 645, the cost of staffing
(excluding the MP himself) was 575th out of 645, his stationery costs
were 329th out of 645, and his postage was 329th out of 645. On travel,
he made no claim for staff or relatives using his car and his own use of
the car ranked 275th out of 645, and rail fares were 221st out of 645.
He claimed no air fares, no visits to Europe, nor any bike mileage this
past year.

"I like to think I give value for money" says Michael Fabricant. "But
really it is unfair to compare MPs’ claims because I recognise that
Labour MPs in Scotland, for example, are going to have to spend far more
than me on travel. And we all have different ways of working. I have
an efficient office and staff who deal swiftly and politely with all my
constituents’ problems and their queries."