Let's Go Shopping with our 'John Lewis List' and The Public Purse

The Mistress reckons she's in the wrong job.

This morning on Radio Five Live, the presenters were talking about the fact that British MPs can get their second homes paid for by the British Taxpayer. And how! Since the Freedom of Information Act, the British public is beginning to see exactly where its money is going...

Since most MPs' constituencies are a long way from their own homes, they get an allowance to help with their second home ie where they go at weekends to do their constituency work. The Additional Costs Claims Guide - known as the "John Lewis List" - is used by Parliamentary officials to determine whether an expenditure claim submitted by an MP is reasonable. MPs can claim items up to £23,000 per year.

As an example, you can claim up to a grand (£1,000) for a bed. For a bed! Imagine what sort of bed she could buy ME for that sort of cash.

In a conveyor belt-like shopping list, not unlike the Generation Game, you really do think those MPs really haven't ever had it so good...here's the list in full:

Air conditioning unit - £299.99

Bed - £1,000.00

Bedside cabinet - £100.00

Bookcase/shelf - £200.00

Bookcase/cabinet - £500.00

Carpet - £35.00 per square metre

Carpet fitting - £6.50 per square metre

Coffee maker/machine - £100.00

Coffee table - £250.00

Dining armchairs (each) - £150.00

Dining chairs (each) - £90.00

Dining table - £600.00

Dishwasher - £375.00

Drawer chest (five) - £500.00

Dressing table - £500.00

Dry cleaning - both personal and household [items] are allowable within reasonable limits

Food mixer - £200.00

Freestanding mirror - £300.00

Fridge/freezer combi - £550.00

Gas cooker - £650.00

Hi-fi/stereo - £750.00

Installation of new bathroom - £6,335.00

Installation of new kitchen - £10,000.00

Lamp table - £200.00

Nest of tables - £200.00

Recordable DVD - £270.00

Rugs (each) - £300.00

Shredder - £50.00

Sideboard - £795.00

Suite of furniture - £2,000.00

Television set - £750.00

Tumble dryer - £250.00

Underlay (basic) - £6.99 per square metre

Wardrobe - £700.00

Washer dryer - £500.00

Washing machine - £350.00

Wooden flooring/carpets - £35.00 per square metre

Workstation - £150.00

Personal items not allowed - for example: hairdryers or hairstylers, shavers, toothbrushes, toiletries and bathrobes.

Any form of payment protection or illness cover is not claimable from ACA in relation to mortgage payments.

In order for a member to claim the mortgage interest against his ACA home, his/her name must appear on the mortgage.

Garden furniture such as patio sets, loungers and barbecues are not allowed.

Basic garden maintenance is allowed, but plants, shrubs, flowers, hanging baskets or other decorations etc are not.

Let me tell you, these prices aren't cheap! These sums will buy you some top quality gear! And if the Mistress did become an MP, I could enter Westminster Dog of the Year competition. I know I'd win. So, I think it's time for us to do some serious lobbying to get on a List. Once the Parliamentary seat selectors meet me, I am sure they'd think we were a dream ticket.

Woof Woof