MPs expenses: Tobias Ellwood reduces spending

Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show the Conservative MP's total business costs for the 2020-21 financial year were £158,884.69.

The MP's costs were down slightly from £159,429.42 the year before, and well below the average for all Members of Parliament, of £203,880.

By comparison, Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson had costs of £217,000 last year, while Sir Christopher Chope, the member for Christchurch, had £143,000.

'You need to be conscious that this is taxpayers' money'

Speaking to the Bournemouth Daily Echo Mr Ellwood said: “All MPs operate their offices in different ways but certainly you need to be conscious that this is taxpayers' money and therefore there are ways of reducing costs.

"Ironically there was concern that costs would increase because of Covid and people working from home that could require additional equipment but we found ways - for example, we just upgraded a computer and rather than buy a new one we just upgraded the harddrive - there are ways that you can utilise the funds in a wise way.”

Senior Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who was elected in May 2005, spent £117,500 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £98,600 on staff wages and £18,900 on other office expenditures. 

And he spent all of his accommodation budget (£33,900), and a further £7,500 on travel and subsistence.

READ MORE: Revealed: Bournemouth MPs business expenses

READ MORE: At a glance: What your MP spent last year and what on

The IPSA figures also reveal the 258 individual claims made by Tobias Ellwood in 2020-21, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £98,605.30.

At the other end of the scale, the smallest one-off expense the 55-year-old claimed was £1.00 for ctm rail booking fee.

“You’ve just got to be very conscious that we need to do our job and we need to do it efficiently,” said Mr Ellwood.

“It is important and there needs to be a recognisable balance that you are running a small team to answer all of the expectations that an MP absolutely must meet.

“With that will come a cost but ultimately yes you are answerable to the taxpayer and you should be conscious of that.”

Tobias Ellwood's five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £98,605.30

2) Rent – £33,755.98

3) Mileage - car – £3,570.75

4) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,047.00

5) Equipment - purchase – £2,667.18

He also spent £938.46 on a working from home allowance.

Read more on your MPs expenses: 

• Michael Tomlinson: Dorset MP spent £25k more than next biggest spender
• Conor Burns: Dorset MP claims 31p for stationery amid £13k rise in his spending
• Sir Robert Syms: Poole MP cost tax payer £170,000 in business expenses last year
• Sir Christopher Chope: “We keep a tight ship”: Christchurch MP spending revealed