My MP Mr Oliver Heald's "petty cash" double claims make it into The Guardian. It looks like they have contacted the Commons Department of Resources and been told this is "within the rules". Well, what a surprise. That attitude by the MP and the Commons Department of Resources simply underlines the appearance that these allowances were treated like an entitlement not an allowance to cover costs incurred.

Mr Heald mentioned nearer bottom of article.

It is of some note that the new regime introduced last year for MPs' expenses, within the Incidental Expenditure Provision (the IEP, the allowance where "petty cash" can be claimed), has reduced the monthly "petty cash" claim possible from £250 to £50.

That's one hell of a change - not shaving off - that is five times less. Annually that is £600 instead of a huge £3,000.

This is the person to make a complaint to about your MP. If your MP has been "maxing-out" this allowance too I would strongly suggest you tackle him/her and if not satisfied then get a letter off to Mr Lyon.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS – MR J LYON CB

Dear Mr Lyon

I have grounds to believe that the conduct of my MP, Mr Oliver Heald, in relation to his claims from allowances, is not “above reproach”, has breached Code of Conduct for MPs and requires detailed investigation.

My concerns are:

AN OPEN LETTER TO SIR CHRISTOPHER KELLY

Dear Sir Christopher

I appreciate you will be extremely busy right now what with your inquiry in to MPs' expenses.

I wrote to you on the 19th June expressing my concerns about my MP Oliver Heald, who I understand sits on your Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Mrs Heald has drawn my attention to an error in my previous total for the number of months claimed at the maximum, to the penny, for "petty cash".

It appears that Mr Heald claimed the maximum of £250.00 (to the penny) specifically against "petty cash" in 41 months out of 48 - NOT 43 out of 48 as previously asserted here by myself. For the record - Mr Heald disputes this figure - claiming that it should be 38 out of 48 (I will leave you to decide which figure is fairest - if you wish).

Mr Heald has quite rightly drawn my attention to the fact that I mis-represented his claims and that he had claimed the total allowable - to the penny - in "petty cash" for 44 month out of 48 over the last four years.

I have unreservedly apologised to Mr Heald by email.

The truth is, he claimed the maximum - to the penny - of £250 for only 43 months out of 48.

If you follow the thread in my blog on my MP Oliver Heald (just click Oliver Heald MP above) you will see that he has now "gagged" his staff - instructing them not to talk to me. Plus, he tells me to direct all enquiries to him only and in writing only - he seems to suggest I may not be welcome at his surgeries.

YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

It is becoming clear that many MPs have been making use of a particular administrative feature of The Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) in such a way that raises very reasonable suspicions of abuse.

"Petty Cash" is mentioned nowhere in their own Green Book and is mentioned only on their "Member's Reimbursement Form" as a line under "Please ensure: any claims for petty cash do not exceed £250 per month".

Please take a look at your MP's use of the IEP and in particular their claims against "petty cash". If they are "maxing" this out month after month - feel free to use my letters to my MP Oliver Heald as a template and write to your MP too.

Sent: 21st June 2009

AN OPEN LETTER TO OLIVER HEALD MP - NORTH EAST HERTS

Dear Mr Heald

Thank you for your reply to my letter of 18th June 2009 concerning your claims through the Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) against “petty cash”. (N.B. You have still not replied to my letter of the 18th May regarding inappropriate profiteering through the sale of a tax-payer-subsidised second home. I still look forward to a reply). However, your one line reply to the "petty cash" issue...

“The Prime Minister has announced that all these claims will be independently audited.”

... is not satisfactory to me as your constituent and as a tax payer as, apart from other things, my specific concerns in this regard may not be answered by the “audit” you allude to - an audit - from what I can gather – that has no published time scale, remit, degree of “independence” etc.

Dear Mr Heald

I owe you a very public apology. After writing my letter yesterday, questioning your use of The Incidental Expenses Provision (IEP) - with particular regard to your repeated monthly claims against "petty cash" (43 months out of 48) at the absolute maximum allowed, to the penny, of exactly £250.00, I have had time to reflect.

I know realise that far from attempting to "milk" the system for all it is worth by focusing on a weak point (no receipts needed for petty cash claims up to the maximum of £250) there is an explanation. You have simply been too humble, too shy, too honourable to share this explanation with us.