In 2007-8 I started to draw attention to the need for the public sector to do more for less. I pointed out that spending was rising too quickly and not always being well spent.
The costs of running my Parliamentary office and my expenses cost the taxpayer £105,917 in 2007-8. There were 23 MPs who did the job for less taxpayer cost, so I said I would cut my costs by 10% in 2008-9 and by another 10% in 2009-10. The two year cost reduction programme would take the total annual costs down to £85,792. I wished to show that you can cut costs in the public sector without damaging service levels.
I have recently been sent the figures for 2009-10 by the Commons Authorities. They will publish the details in February 2011. The total costs I incurred in running the office and my own expenses came to £75,015 in 2009-10. That was £10,000 more off than the target reductions and represents a decline of 29% compared to 2007-8. It would be more in inflation adjusted real terms, used in many public sector budgets. £60,420 within the total was staff cost.
John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College, and has a DPhil from All Souls, Oxford. A businessman by background, he has been a director of NM Rothschild merchant bank and chairman of a quoted industrial PLC.
One Comment
If only some others would follow your example.
Just shows what can be done when a real attempt is made to reduce costs.
I have to say I have not noticed any reduction in your service.