In the light of recent publicity about MPs’ expenses and David Cameron’s
announcements today regarding transparency, Michael Fabricant says: "I
know full well that many of my constituents are concerned about the
misuse of MPs’ allowances and expenses. For the avoidance of any doubt
and, frankly, as I do not wish to be tarred with the same brush as
Government ministers, I thought it might be helpful to set the record
straight.

"I have never used the device of ‘home flipping’, that is changing the
home on which to make a claim – nor any other technique – to maximise
claims.

"My main home is in Lichfield and after I was elected to Parliament I
bought a small flat near to the House of Commons on which I claim an
allowance. In fact, because of low mortgage rates, my home in Lichfield
currently costs more to run than the one in London on which I make my
claim. For the sake of clarity: I only claim on the London flat and do
not claim on any other property nor for any swimming pools or moats (not
that I possess either). I am not a Londoner and if I were not an MP, I
would not have nor want a flat there. It goes with the work. It also
has to be said that the expenses I have claimed on that flat only cover
a part of the actual costs of my staying overnight in Westminster.

"I wouldn’t advise anyone to enter Parliament for the money!" Michael
adds. Last year, Michael’s expenses were the 569th least expensive out
of 645 MPs.