MPs' Expenses and the mighty John Lewis

Oh to be John Lewis, the recommended shop for MPs' furnishings
The BBC reports on the amount that MPs' can claim for with the highlight on kitchens with the lead
MPs' £10,000 kitchens on expenses-


Additional Costs Claims Guide
(the "John Lewis List")

Staff are instructed to use the list as a guide when assessing whether purchases are
allowable under Green Book section 3.14.1 ­ non-allowable expenditure:
"furnishings (inc white goods, TV/DVD) or fittings which are antique, luxury or
premium grade", and section 3.10.1 ­ allowable expenditure: "Members should
avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious".
Costings For ACA


*John Lewis came out top of all retail
shops February 2007 issue of Which
Magazine. Taking account of cost,
customer service and the variety of
goods available.

Air conditioning unit
£299.9
Max
1st April 06
Bed
£1,000.00
Max
1st April 06
Bedside
cabinet
£100.00
Max
29th March 06
Book
case/shelf
£200.00
Max
29th March 06
Bookcase/cabinet
£500.00
Max
29th March 06
Carpet
£35.00
Sq.
Mtr.
Carpet
fitting
£6.50
Sq.
Mtr.
"
Coffee maker/machine
£100.00
Max 21st
June
06
Coffee
table
£250.00
Max
29th March 06
Dining arm chairs each
£150.00
Max
8th March 06
Dining chairs each
£90.00
Max
8th March 06
Dining
table
£600.00
Max
8th March 06
Dishwasher
£375.00
Max
28th March 06
Drawer chest (5)
£500.00
Max
6th April 06
Dressing
table
£500.00
Max
29th March 06
Dry cleaning both personal and household are allowable within reasonable limits
Food mixer
£200.00
Max
18th Nov 05
Freestanding
mirror
£300.00
Max
29th March 06
Fridge/freezer combi
£550.00
Max
28th March 06
Gas
cooker
£650.00
Max
21st July 06
Hi Fi/stereo
£750.00
Max 04/05
Installation of new bathroom
£6,335.00
Max
6th April 06
Installation of new kitchen
£10,000.00
Max 04/05
Lamp
table
£200.00
Max
29th March 06
Nest of tables
£200.00
Max
29th March 06
Recordable DVD
£270.00
Max 07/08
Rugs
£300.00
each
16th March 06
Shredder
£50.00
Max
31st October 06
Sideboard
£795.00
Max
15th May 06
Suite of furniture
£2,000.00
Max
1st October 05
Television set
£750.00
Max 04/05
Tumble
dryer
£250.00
Max
04th April 06
Underlay
(basic)
£6.99
Sq.
Mtr. 29th March 07
Wardrobe
£700.00
Max
29th March 07
Washer
dryer
£500.00
Max
03th April 06
Washing
machine
£350.00
Max
04th April 06
Wooden flooring/carpets
£35.00 Per Sq. Mtr.
29th March 07
Workstation
£150.00
Max

31st October 06

Personal items not allowed for example: hairdryers or hairstylers- shavers- toothbrushes, toiletries and bathrobes 05/06

Any form of payment protection or illness cover is not claimable from ACA in relation to mortgage payments. 05/06

In order for a member to claim the mortgage interest against his ACA home his/her name must appear on the mortgage. Feb 05/05

Garden furniture such as patio sets , loungers and barbecues are not allowed 04/05
Basic garden maintenance is allowed, but plants, shrubs, flowers, hanging baskets or other decorations etc. are not. 04/05

As at 13 March 2008