ANDOVER’S MP has criticised recent advice saying that MPs can expense the cost of Christmas parties to the taxpayers, labelling it as "idiotic". 

As previously reported, new advice from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) says that MPs will be able to expense the costs of food and drinks for the parties to taxpayers.

The IPSA confirmed that “MPs can claim the costs of food and refreshments for an office festive” in their parliamentary or constituency offices but warned, “no claims are allowed for alcohol”.

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As reported by the Daily Mail, the costs of “festive decorations for their office” can also be claimed.

MPs were told that any claims “should represent value for money, especially in the current economic climate”.

MP for North West Hampshire Kit Malthouse called the decision “idiotic”, and said “I would never even dream of using expenses for a party.

“I cannot imagine that any MP would be that bonkers.

“My small team work incredibly hard to serve the people of Andover and North West Hampshire and it has been my pleasure every year to thank them with a Christmas celebration paid for entirely out of my own pocket.”