Ruth Kelly

Ruth Kelly, the Labour MP for Bolton West, claimed thousands of pounds worth of expenses for damage caused to her home by flooding, even though the property was insured.

The former Cabinet minister is the latest MP to be embroiled in the expenses scandal which has engulfed Parliament over the last two weeks. It has been revealed that she used her taxpayer-funded second home allowances to pay for £31,000 of rebuilding, refurbishment and appliances at the house.

She has admitted that the building and its contents were covered by an insurance policy but she decided to use her expenses to cover the costs instead. The Daily Telegraph quotes her as saying that she “can’t now recall” why she did not make an insurance claims because of the “passage of time”.

It has also been revealed:

- In 2004, she was paid more than £13,000 for building and maintenance work at the house, which she bought with her husband Derek Gadd for £109,000 in 2001.

- The following year, she claimed about £2,500 for painting, curtains, plumbing and other work.

- In the first four months of 2006, she claimed £15,363 for furnishings and appliances. She tried to claim £3,600 for a sofa and chairs from an upmarket retailer, £2,355 for a dining table and chairs, and £2,000 for a 37-inch plasma television. The claims were reduced for being excessive.

- A £1,625 claim for a garden table, chairs and parasol was rejected. Several purchases were made in London stores and delivered to her house in Bolton at a cost to taxpayers of £380. She also claimed £1,275 for a sideboard, £530 for a dishwasher and £570 for a washing machine.

- A further £780 was claimed for curtains and rails, £625 for a coffee table and £160 for a rug.

- Over the next two years, Miss Kelly claimed: £1,511 for work on her patio and repairs; £1,424 for building and redecoration; £650 on kitchen equipment; £330 on Ikea bathroom and bedroom items; £450 on maintenance and £300 on gardening.

- She has claimed almost £120,000 in second home expenses since 2001.

Jackie Pearcey, Lib Dem PPC for Bolton West, has blasted Ruth Kelly's shocking claims

Jackie Pearcey, Bolton West Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats, has hit out at the claims. Jackie said: “Many people find that they cannot get insurance against flooding at any price, due to their postcodes even though many have never been flooded.  When there’s been severe flooding, the Government has refused to step in and help people who couldn’t get insured.  Meanwhile Mrs. Kelly, who did have insurance decided to make us taxpayers pay, rather than claim on her home insurance.”