Harriett Baldwin MP will not claim for Christmas food and drink

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has told MPs for the first time they can expense the cost of food and drink for Christmas staff parties to taxpayers, although alcohol will not be covered.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said "every year" she uses her own salary to treat her staff.

She said: “Every year, I treat my staff to a meal and a gift paid for out of my own, after tax, salary to reward them for a year of good work.

"This should never be part of an MP’s expenses claims and I was disappointed with the communication that IPSA sent out suggesting otherwise.”

READ MORE: Aldi in Malvern reveals its opening date and it's soon

The watchdog recently apologised after MPs complained it had given the impression they had been “clamouring” to put food, refreshments and decorations for an office party on expenses.

Some MPs received abuse in the wake of the guidance, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority said.

Ipsa said after issuing the guidance around Christmas spend, a number of MPs got in touch to say “they have never made such claims in the past and have no intention of doing so in the future”.

READ MORE: Met Office shares exact date snow could fall this week

Ian Todd, the watchdog’s chief executive, said: “We got the messaging wrong by allowing the impression to form that this is what MPs were wanting to do, rather than our interpretation of the discretion available under the existing rules.

“We are an independent body and we make our own decisions but, occasionally, like everyone, we make mistakes.

“I would like to apologise to those MPs and their staff who have had to deal with phone calls, emails and, in some cases, abuse as a result of our guidance. They did not write the guidance or influence its contents.

“In issuing it, we also failed to recognise the public mood at a time of severe economic and financial pressures. I am sorry for that.”