Controversial Claims by Multi-Millionaire Conservative MP
A multi-millionaire Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Sir Geoffrey Cox, has come under fire for claiming £100,000 in taxpayer money to subsidize his second home in London while renting out his primary residence in the capital. This revelation, reported by The i Paper, highlights an ongoing issue where several Tory MPs are exploiting what critics describe as a “loophole” in the expenses system, allowing them to claim accommodation costs in London while profiting from properties they own elsewhere.
Despite the legality of these claims, they raise significant ethical concerns regarding fairness in the use of public funds. Sir Alistair Graham, a former head of the advisory body on ethical standards for the Prime Minister, expressed that such practices could undermine public trust in politicians.
Recent analyses reveal that Cox, who ranks as the highest-paid MP in Parliament when considering outside earnings, has amassed over £4.6 million from his legal profession since 2019. In spite of this substantial income, he has claimed approximately £96,000 from taxpayers to cover his rent in London during the same timeframe. His current rent expense, set at £2,250 per month, persists even though he has been receiving a steady rental income from a jointly-owned flat in Battersea since 2017. This Victorian mansion flat, which overlooks Battersea Park, was purchased by Sir Geoffrey and his wife for £535,000 in 2004, as confirmed by Land Registry documents. He earns a minimum of £10,000 in rent annually from this property, although the actual figure is likely significantly higher given the current rental market in London.
In 2019, Cox was compelled to apologize to Parliament’s standards watchdog for failing to declare thousands of pounds in rental income from his Battersea flat. Additionally, in 2016, he acknowledged a “serious breach” of the rules after neglecting to declare approximately £400,000 in outside earnings.
MPs Claiming for Rent While Renting Out Property
The expenses rules permit MPs to claim rent while leasing out properties they own, primarily intended to facilitate their ability to live and work in both their constituencies and London. Currently, five landlord MPs—including one newly-elected Tory—are seeking taxpayer assistance to cover their London rent while simultaneously renting out properties in the city. According to data from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), other MPs such as Sir John Whittingdale, Alberto Costa, and Mark Pritchard have claimed rents of £2,460, £2,253, and £3,500 per month, respectively. Freshly elected Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst is also claiming £3,250 monthly for his London residence. Despite earning over £10,000 a year from their rental properties, specific income figures remain undisclosed.
In stark contrast, no Labour MPs currently claim expenses for accommodation in London while also renting out property in the capital. However, several Labour MPs do receive taxpayer funding for their rent, even while profiting from multiple properties they own in other regions.
Sir Alistair Graham emphasized that parliamentary authorities should act swiftly to “close down the loophole,” stating, “While it may fall within the rules, it does not represent the proper use of public funds. Ethically speaking, the situation is clear: if you own accommodation in London, you should utilize it to fulfill your responsibilities rather than imposing a burden on taxpayers.”
Housing advocates have echoed this sentiment, urging IPSA to address the “loophole.” Jae Vail, a spokesperson for the London Renters Union (LRU), remarked, “MPs are profiting as landlords while billing taxpayers for their own living expenses. How can renters have faith in politicians to champion their rights when they exploit situations like this?”
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, expressed disbelief that all five landlord MPs voted against Labour’s proposed renters’ rights bill, aimed at eliminating “no-fault” evictions.
IPSA confirmed the five landlord MPs’ claims relate specifically to homes in London following a Freedom of Information request. None of the MPs responded to inquiries for comment. However, a Conservative spokesperson defended the rent claims, asserting they are “entirely within the rules.” They added, “The real challenge facing renters is the Labour Government’s new regulations, which will curtail housing supply in the private sector, resulting in soaring rents and diminished options for renters.”
In response to criticisms regarding London rent claims by MPs owning properties in the city, IPSA clarified that these are not classified as a loophole but rather an acknowledgment of exceptional circumstances. A spokesperson noted, “If an MP owns a property, we expect them to utilize it whenever possible. However, we understand there are instances where this may not be practical, such as when the property is too small for the MP’s family.” IPSA is currently reviewing potential rule alterations concerning expenses and is anticipated to announce consultation results in the spring.
Landlord MPs and Their Taxpayer-Funded Accommodations
At present, there are 32 landlord MPs who have collectively claimed over £1.8 million from taxpayers for their rent payments since 2019, as analyzed by The i Paper using IPSA data. Some of these MPs seek taxpayer funding for their rent, even while receiving rental income from various properties they own. Gurinder Singh Josan, Labour MP for Smethwick, earns rental income from five homes in Birmingham and Sandwell, co-owned with family members. After winning his seat in 2024, he began claiming £2,650 monthly in rent as an expense. Josan did not respond to requests for comment.
Another new MP, Bayo Alaba, representing Labour for Southend East and Rochford, possesses a small property portfolio, earning rental income from seven London properties co-owned with a family member. He started claiming £1,050 monthly in rent expenses in September. Alaba stated, “I maintain a family home in London where my wife and young children reside. I relocated to Southend in January 2024 after my selection. The rental payment mentioned pertains to my Southend constituency property.” When asked if it was questionable for MPs with multiple properties to claim rent expenses, Sir Alistair remarked, “Yes. It implies that prioritizing commercial interests as a landlord takes precedence over fulfilling public responsibilities as an MP.”
William Yarwood of the TaxPayers’ Alliance criticized the situation, stating, “As rents and property prices continue to rise, and many individuals feel the financial squeeze, MPs sending such messages by claiming rent while profiting as landlords are sending the wrong signal.”
Several landlord MPs with multiple properties defended their claims for rent expenses as necessary for fulfilling their roles in two geographic locations. Richard Baker, Labour MP for Glenrothes and Mid-Fife, explained that he rents out flats in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen. His recent claim of £2,400 for London rent, which included a deposit, was characterized as essential for his parliamentary duties. A spokesperson for Rachel Taylor, Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, noted that her £1,750-a-month London rental is required to effectively carry out her responsibilities as an MP.
