‘Two MPs and money matters’ by John McCartan

 _{Attending Westminster with all the bobs and bells doesn’t come cheap.}

_{According to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/), during 2015/16, Margaret Ritchie’s expenses were £200,118.61. This doesn’t include Ms Ritchie’s full salary of £74,962 which, like all SDLP MPs, she fully draws. During 2015/16, the cost of Ms Ritchie’s staff alone was £142,945.46.}

 _{In 2014/15, Ms Ritchie’s cost to the taxpayer was an eye-watering £213,990.73. Again, this does not include her salary of £74,962. In 2014/15, the staff expenditure alone was £152,700.64. Who are these expensive staff? Was there an open recruitment process? Are some of them local or retired SDLP councillors topping up their councillor pay and/or pensions?}

 _{During her stays at Westminster, Ms. Ritchie’s hotel costs are frequently listed at £450. Was this for one night? Say it isn’t so! If you still find this too hard to believe, please check the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority website at http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/margaret-ritchie/.}

 _{The real hidden perk is the pension plan. For example, if an MP serves 15 years, the pension builds at a rate of 1/40th of final salary, giving 15/40ths or 37.5% of final salary (approx. £28,110.75 per annum). To buy a similar pension on the open market today would cost £880,000! So if you fancy a change in career, see MPs’ Pension Scheme Briefing Paper Page 7 at the following link (http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06283/SN06283.pdf)}

 _{According to the Irish News,} (http://www.irishnews.com/news/2014/01/30/news/mp-claimed-hotel-costs-while-renting-out-flat-82250/ ) _{shortly after his election, Ms. Ritchie’s colleague, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, purchased a flat in London. From 2005 until 2009, the article states Dr McDonnell claimed over £86,000 on expenses towards the mortgage interest on his Vauxhall flat. When he bought the property in 2005, the article goes onto say he also claimed £13,800 in stamp duty from parliamentary expenses and £1,360 for blinds and curtains. According to the Parliamentary register of interests (https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/ 170502/170502.pdf), Dr. McDonnell now receives a rental income over £10,000 per year for a flat in London. This is whilst simultaneously claiming hotel expenses: in 2015/16, his accommodation expenses in London were £4,222.10.}

 _{I’m sure the people of South Belfast would like to know if this is the same property purchased with the help of the taxpayer, considering Dr McDonnell is still claiming for accommodation during his trips to London. It’s no secret that the value of property in London has increased dramatically since 2005. If this is indeed the same flat, will the taxpayer gain from its increased value, or a share of its rental income?}

 _{These are not trivial sums. A nurse in the under threat Downe Hospital can expect to earn between £21,000 and £27,000: so Ms. Ritchie’s total cost to the taxpayer is equivalent to the salaries of over 11 nurses!}

 _{It’s time for the people of South Down and South Belfast to ask whether taking full advantage of the Westminster scam and milking every last drop from the taxpayer is in the best interests of their areas.}

 _{At the very least our MPs might reflect on whether an annual cost of over a quarter of a million is right and proper with such cutbacks to our local services. Protesting about cutbacks to the Downe Hospital, whilst at the same time spending like it’s Celtic Tiger times at the Galway Races isn’t right.}

 _{Please take the time to independently fact-check this on http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/ – there’s already enough fake news as it is!}