MPs ride first class at taxpayer expense

More than 180 MPs – including one-third of the shadow cabinet – claimed for first class train tickets using a loophole that allows the purchase in particular circumstances, according to an analysis of MPs’ expenses published in The Sunday Telegraph.

First class travel is routine for some parliamentarians – including Tory Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin [photo, below] and Chinyelu Onwurah, a Labour member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne – despite warnings by the expenses watchdog that MPs should exercise “restraint”. But a loophole allows the purchase of first-class tickets which, if purchased in advance, can end up cheaper than open standard tickets bought shortly before the journey.

But the guidelines have left some taxpyers scratching their heads: if MPs know they will need a ticket in the months ahead, why not order standard-class tickets instead?

Good enough for ordinary commuters?

“If MPs can get themselves organised to order a first-class ticket in advance, they should be able to order a standard-class ticket in plenty of time as well and it will almost always be cheaper,” Taxpayers’ Alliance chief executive Matthew Sinclair said.

“If standard-class travel isn’t good enough for MPs, it isn’t good enough for ordinary commuters who pay for their own tickets,” Mr Sinclair added.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority brought in the rules after the 2009 expenses scandal. But MPs are still allowed to buy a first class ticket when it would be cheaper than buying a standard, open ticket. Some of the first class ticket claims have cost as much as £300, five times as much as the cheapest standard fare for the same route.

The great train snobbery

The extent to which MPs are taking advantage of that rule was exposed by the newspaper after Chancellor George Osborne entered a first-class carriage with only a standard ticket. His office insisted he had always intended to pay for the upgrade once he realised his error, despite reports that his aide told Virgin rail staff the chancellor could not possibly sit in economy.

He’s not alone. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, cabinet office minister Francis Maude, Transport Minister Norman Baker, shadow chancellor Ed Balls and former chancellor Alistair Darling have all travelled first class, the paper said.

In total there were 113 Labour MPs, 48 Conservatives, 19 Liberal Democrats, two Plaid Cymru members and three Scottish National Party members who have claimed for first class rail travel in the past year.

First class MPs

Patrick McLoughlin, the new Conservative transport secretary, has claimed eight first-class tickets worth up to £147 so far this year. Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat trains minister, has been reimbursed for nine first-class fares, the newspaper said.

Chinyelu Onwurah, a Labour member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has claimed for 13 first-class tickets worth either £254 or £294 for a total cost of £3,627. The Sunday Telegraph found standard fares between London and Newcastle available for just £58, but the claims were allowed because a standard any-time fare between London and Newcastle is £301.

Mr Osborne is one of 460 MPs who have not claimed for a first-class train seat in the past year – although that may change, as Virgin charged the chancellor £189.50 to upgrade to first class. An amount he reportedly paid for himself.