“Quite ludicrous” – Salford MP slams announcement that MPs can claim for Christmas parties on expenses

Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey is furious that MPs can now claim expenses for aspects of their Christmas parties.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) announced MPs can claim for food, decorations and non-alcoholic drinks.

Salford MP for Salford and Eccles, Rebecca Long-Bailey, told Salford Now: “This is quite ludicrous, I do not know of any MP’s who have asked for this and I personally do not think it would be an acceptable use of taxpayer’s money.”

One Salford resident, Emmy, said “I think the MP’s are very selfish and unthoughtful to the rest of the country that are struggling with the cost of living if they’re getting their money back from their Christmas parties.”

Another called the move ‘sly and entitled’.

Many MPs are upset about this announcement, claiming that it’s ‘really irresponsible’ to publish the guidance in the first place.

The huge majority of people are outraged by the announcement, with almost 90% answering a poll on Salford Now saying that they were angry.

MPs using this guidance are being asked to be mindful of the cost-of-living crisis and make sure any claims “represent value for money.”