Food allowances of AMs revealed (From South Wales Guardian)

Food allowances of AMs revealed

1:30pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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LOCAL AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas claimed £2,819.80 in food allowance during 2008-09, it has been revealed.

Only five other AMs claimed more than the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM, according to details of claims released last week.

Mr Thomas’s fellow Plaid AM Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales) was revealed to have claimed £2,084. In contrast, Alun Davies, Labour AM for Mid and West Wales, claimed the modest amount of £245.20, Conservative Nick Bourne £122.60, and Joyce Watson (Labour) £61.30, while Tairgwaith-based Neath AM Gwenda Thomas did not make any claim at all. The tax-free perk, which allows AMs to claim £30.65 a day for food without providing a receipt, was described as “an expense too far” by Mark Wallace of the Taxpayers Alliance pressure group.

A spokesman for Mr Thomas said: “All of Rhodri’s claims are strictly in accordance with the rules.

“Plaid are pleased that the Assembly are leading the way on the transparency of elected members’ expenses and look forward to supporting the Sir Roger Jones independent report on AMs’ expenses.”

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