MPs vote to keep 'John Lewis list'
Published Date:
04 July 2008
MPs Iain Wright (Hartlepool), John Cummings (Easington) and Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) were among those to vote to keep the controversial second home allowance.
The Commons Members Estimate Committee had recommended the additional costs allowance be replaced and had called for an end to the so-called "John Lewis list" – the use of public money to pay for items like new kitchens and TVs.
MPs voted by a majority of 28 yesterday to retain their £24,000-a-year budget to buy and kit out second homes.
The package retaining the so-called John Lewis list was backed mainly by Labour MPs. They included 33 ministers, including home secretary Jacqui Smith, culture secretary Andy Burnham and housing minister Caroline Flint and three of the region's MPs.
According to Hansard documents, Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North, which includes Billingham, did not vote.
The full article contains 148 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
04 July 2008 9:29 AM
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Location:
Peterlee
