John Glen criticises decision to allow MPs to claim staff Christmas parties on expenses
New guidance has been issued
Salisbury's MP has branded a decision to allow MPs to claim for Christmas parties as 'absurd and unwanted.'
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) told politicians for the first time they can expense the cost of food and drink for festive parties to taxpayers, although alcohol will not be covered.
IPSA also said MPs could claim the cost of 'festive decorations for their office' too.
John Glen told Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury;
"I was shocked to see that, bizarrely, IPSA have decided to class parties as a claimable expense this year.
“However, I fervently hope that no MP will even think of actually putting in such a claim - I certainly won’t.
“We do not have an office party. I regularly take my staff out for meals, including at Christmas, and I pay for it myself. It would never occur to me to do otherwise.
“I join MPs of all parties in condemning IPSA for this absurd and unwanted decision.”
Meanwhile Labour frontbencher Jess Philips in a post on Twitter said Ipsa had been 'irresponsible.'
"Just want to say no one asked for this, no one I know will use it"
Her post was retweeted by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.