Tory ex-MP billed taxpayers £20k for repairs to office after losing seat

She listed the claim as for “dilapidations” – which means “breaches of a tenant’s obligations during a lease which can occur if a property has not been kept in good repair and condition”

An ex-Tory MP billed taxpayers £20,000 for repairs to the constituency office she moved out of when she lost her seat.

Former classical singer Jane Stevenson was booted out in the general election, losing the Wolverhampton North East seat to Labour’s Sureena Brackenridge.

Newly released expenses claims reveal she spent £19,746 repairing her office, which sits on a small shopping precinct in Wolverhampton.

We contacted Ms Stevenson to ask what work was performed. She did not respond.

But she tagged the expenses claim as being for “dilapidations”.

The MPs expenses website says dilapidations are “breaches of a tenant’s obligations during a lease which can occur if a property has not been kept in good repair and condition.”

Ms Stevenson was first elected in 2019, meaning she had been an MP for just five years when she vacated her office.

Three other MPs have claimed for dilapidations since the election – but Ms Stevenson has by far the biggest repair bill.

Angela Crawley, the former SNP MP for Lanark and Hamilton East claimed £12,962 across two bills.

Chris Stevens, who was SNP MP for Glasgow South West until the election, claimed £8,541.62.

And James Duddridge, the former Tory minister and ally of Boris Johnson, claimed back £2,400 for dilapidations.

All four MPs lost their seats in July’s general election, when Labour swept to power.