Catherine's Accounts

General Expenditure

The general expenditure allowance paid to MEP's are designed to cover office management expenditure, phone bills, postage, the purchase, management and use of IT equipment, and travel by Members within their own Member State. The general expenditure allowance for 2009 is €4,202 per month. 100% of expenditure is supported by documentation and yearly accounts are prepared by an external accountant (HARTS Chartered Accountants, Hertfordshire).

Catherine is committed to openness and any expenses incurred by her or her office for carrying out these duties. Her office scans all receipts over £25 which are available on request in low resolution .jpg files, please contact office@bearder.eu to arrange an opportunity to view these.

download Catherine's expenses here

Period 14 July 2009 - 31 December 2009

Office Rent & Running Costs £5,089.00

Stationery & Consumables, includes Photocopier contract and Brussels office £916

Telephone, Broadband & Mobiles £870.00

IT Hardware and Software £1,063

Representation Activities £618

Petty Cash & Subscriptions £218

Postage £600

One off set up cost for new office, Furniture, IT equipment, phones & set up. £10,049

Travel

MEPs have one journey a week from home to work reimbursed at a flat rate on the basis of distance and mode of transport. All travel outside the UK is reimbursed at cost. In all cases, proof of travel is required. Travel & accommodation within the UK is paid for out of the general expenditure allowance under Representation Activities. Wherever possible, Catherine travels by train which she considers the most environmentally sustainable & cost efficient. Catherine was reimbursed €1397.47 for the train and road travel within her constituency for the period 14th July to 31st Dec.

Subsistence

MEPs receive a daily subsistence allowance for official attendance on Parliamentary duties in the EU but outside the UK. For official attendance on Parliamentary duties outside the EU, MEPs receive half the daily substance allowance plus the cost of bed and breakfast.

Staff

Catherine currently employs 4 full-time and 3 part time staff as well as an intern. Permanent staff are paid between £18,000 and £33,000 pa FTE. The total expenditure for 2009 was £52,597.22

European Parliament Salaries and Allowances Page

Catherine employs HARTS Chartered Accountants as a service provider to prepare the office accounts and also to act as her paying agent. The role of paying agent is to administer and MEPs staff payroll. Catherine is not a member of the additional voluntary pension scheme and does not employ any members of her family.