John Lewis Vs Argos / MPs vs Benefit Recipients.

Torbay MP, Adrian Sanders has today expressed his disgust at the double standards between the MP allowances and rules for benefit claimants.

When a benefit claimant applies for a Crisis Loan in order to buy essential furniture or appliances such as a wardrobe or a cooker, JobCentrePlus staff use prices in the Argos catalogue as a guide for how much money can be awarded.  

When a MP makes a claim for furniture and other household items John Lewis is used as a price guide.

For example whereas MPs can claim up to £1,000 to cover the cost of a bed, those people applying for a Crisis Loan to cover the cost of a bed are only lent between £150-£200.

Adrian commented:

“It is disgusting that an MP can claim up to £1,000 for a double bed while members of society with the lowest incomes have to make do with £150.

“The real insult is that the MPs bed is fully paid for by the tax payer, while the Crisis Loan recipient has to pay back every penny to the public purse”