Personal Statement on Expenses, income and financial interests

This statement sets out my stance on financial issues related to my campaign, and in the event of my becoming  MP for Thirsk & Malton

I intend, above all, to be to be open and accountable.

Current financial interests

I am currently an employee of the Chamber of Shipping, on a permanent salaried contract. I have no other employment or income from any source other than some interest from savings.  I hold a number of positions as trustee or board member for various bodies, for which I receive no remuneration.  I have no stocks or shares.

Arrangements for the campaign period

As a candidate, I want to be transparent from the outset about my employment and financial situation, and how I will fund my campaign. At the moment I divide my time between London, where I work, and the constituency where I grew up, staying at the family home in Thirsk. I accept no money for travelling expenses.   

During the course of the campaign, my team and I will be raising money from Labour Party members and supporters, from individuals, from organisations such as Trade Unions and potentially from businesses. I will publish a full list of those individuals and organisations who donate over £100, and it will be a condition of my accepting donations  that any such donor agree to their name and address details being published on my website. Donations made during the election campaign will be reported to the Electoral Commission in accordance with the regulations.

After the General Election

If successful, I plan to live in Thirsk, and run a constituency office that will be open to support the needs of the community 45 hours per week.  Two members of staff will man the office, as will volunteers.  I will work from this office on Friday and Saturdays and during the Parliamentary recesses.  This office, and its staff, will be paid for out of Parliamentary budgets.  The staff will be paid a salary that fairly reflects their experience and skills.

I will not accept a 'second home' allowance, instead I will use a budget hotel - such as Travelodge - for the three or four nights I need to be in London.  This, I believe, will be far more cost-effective, eliminating the expense of mortgage payments, council tax claims, energy bills claims and of course, the infamous 'John Lewis list'.  I will not claim for food.

I will publish my salary details on this website every 3 months, together with details of any expenses that I draw from my work as MP, such as office and staffing costs.  I have already pledged to hold quarterly public meetings in each town in the constituency, and will welcome any questions on allowances.

I will never, ever, claim any money for hiring domestic servants at the tax-payers expense.