Slaughter's expenses up, Hands' expenses down

MPs expenses for the last financial year, 2009-10 have been released. The Guardian have an interesting analysis of the data.

On average MPs reduce their expenses by 5.2% compared to the previous year. The Conservative MP Greg Hands reduced his expenses, which were already well below average, by 2% to £116,657. But the Labour MP Andrew Slaughter increased his expenses by 4%. They went up to £148,056.

Looking at the full data we see his spending included an exceptionally high £14,973 on Communications Allowance. Greg Hands spent just £115. This spending allowed incumbent MPs an unfair advantage by being allowed to use taxpayers money to pay for their personal propaganda. It is being abolished.