MPs expenses: Michael Tomlinson conurbation's most expensive

Figures from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority show the Conservative MP's total business costs for the 2020-21 financial year were £217,449.59.

The MP's costs were up from £211,177.01 the year before, and above the average for all Members of Parliament, of £203,880.

Whereas Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood reduced his spending last year and Sir Christopher Chope, member for Christchurch, spent just £143,000.

READ MORE: Revealed: Bournemouth MPs business expenses

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

Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury (Government Whip) Michael Tomlinson, who was elected in May 2015, spent £178,200 on office running costs in 2020-21, including £158,900 on staff wages and £19,300 on other office expenditures. 

And he spent £34,500 of his accommodation budget (of £39,300), and a further £4,700 on travel and subsistence.

MPs spending 2020-21

The total costs of MPs last year rose by 4 per cent, to £132.5 million, with almost £300,000 going on hotel claims for just 49 members.

BCP MPs total business costs for the 2020-21 financial year were £881,934.60. 

Business costs are the essential costs incurred by MPs while carrying out their parliamentary duties including staffing, office costs and travel. 

MPs cannot claim for personal costs, such as food and drink, during their normal working day, and all claims must be compliant with IPSA rules and accompanied by evidence. 

The IPSA figures also reveal the 265 individual claims made by Michael Tomlinson in 2020-21, with the most expensive single claim being for staff payroll – £158,908.26.

At the other end of the scale, the smallest one-off expense the 44-year-old claimed was £1.10 for parking. 

The Bournemouth Daily Echo contacted Michael Tomlinson for a comment though he failed to respond.

Michael Tomlinson's five largest types of costs were:

1) Payroll – costing £158,908.26

2) Rent – £33,983.35

3) Mileage - car – £4,594.33

4) Pooled Staffing Services – £3,056.00

5) Council tax – £2,169.04

He also spent £1,558.35 on a working from home allowance.

Read more on your MPs expenses:

• 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
• Tobias Ellwood: Bournemouth East MP only conurbation politician to reduce spending
• Sir Christopher Chope: “We keep a tight ship”: Christchurch MP spending revealed