As millions prepare for their fuel bills to double this year, MPs will be protected from the soaring costs.
That is because those who represent seats outside London can claim back the cost of their electricity and gas on expenses.
No fewer than 316 MPs put in utilities claims in 2020-2021, with dozens claiming more than the average household’s dual fuel tariff of £1,138.
Analysis of data published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) shows that claims for utilities totalled £262,454 in 2019-20, of which £206,717 was for gas, electricity and other types of fuel.
Top claimant: Tory MP Danny Kruger with his mother Prue Leith
Because Covid meant fewer MPs staying away from home, the following year the figures fell to £234,181 for all utilities and £182,983 excluding water.
Dennis Reed of the campaign group Silver Voices said: ‘This is a hideous example of how politicians feather their own nests, while those who they are supposed to serve and protect, suffer.
‘While pensioners are supposed to put up with a cut in living standards because those self-same politicians voted to suspend the triple lock, the taxpayer is footing the bill for them to heat their second homes.
‘Senior citizens will be outraged at this egregious example of “one rule for us” and one for the plebs – £3,000 per year is nearly half a year’s state pension.’
Darwin Friend, policy analyst at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘With household bills rocketing and the tax burden approaching a 70-year high, people will rightly be concerned that their hard-earned cash is being used on insulating MPs from the cost of living crisis.’
Although they can no longer claim mortgage payments, MPs can recoup thousands a year for council tax, phone lines, broadband and necessities such as heating and water.
The largest individual utilities
