61. Extract from the Report by Sir
Thomas Legg on his ACA Review, 1 February 2010: Ms Julie
Kirkbride[199]
Ms Kirkbride is married to another MP. She designated
her constituency home as her second home, while her husband nominated
it as his main home. She designated her husband's second home,
a flat in London, as her main home. This meant that, between them,
the couple had no main home which was not funded by the ACA. Throughout
the five years of the review period, they both claimed at or close
to the full allowance to support their two homes. These arrangements
obtained a financial benefit for the couple which appears unintended
under the Green Book rules, and as such contrary to the principles
governing it. Had they made different designations, each MP might
reasonably have claimed up to two-thirds of the full allowance
on a shared second home. On this footing, each of them was overpaid
by one-third of the maximum ACA for each year of the review period.
This is £29,243.
In May 2008, Ms Kirkbride extended the mortgage
on her designated second home to fund the construction of an additional
bedroom, mainly for the use of her brother to provide childcare
for her family. The total interest paid under the ACA to fund
the additional loan was £2,584.26. As these payments were
used to provide accommodation for a non-dependent family member,
the transaction was conflicted.
Total repayment recommended: £31,827.26
Reduced on appeal by: £2,584.26
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009:
£29,243.00
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
199 Published as Appendix 1 to the First Report of
the Members Estimate Committee, Session 2009-10 (HC 348) Back
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