My salary is the same as that of a UK MP - £64,500.

As a re-elected MEP in June 2009 I had the option of taking a salary increase which would have paid me £83,500 per annum but I opted to keep to the old system so that i cannot be compromised or intimidated by being paid by the Commission.  All new MEPs had to take the increased pay amount, but it was optional for returning MEPs.

This option also meant that I could not enter into the pension scheme of which contributions are in the region of £1,000 per month – also paid for by the taxpayer.

I have a Daily Allowance of €298 when abroad which covers accommodation, subsistence and living expenses etc.

I have a Secretarial Allowance of £176,000 per annum.  This is paid directly to the Paying Agent, in my case White and Hoggard Accountants of Malton.  I do not handle or have anything to do with these funds.  I employ 2 full time staff and 4 part time staff, you can find their details on the staff page on my website.  I also have contracts with a further 7 people/companies who are commissioned to perform research or other such duties as is their area of expertise as and when required.  None of the staff I have contracts with are immediate members of my family, however my secretary, Miss Skowronek is my wife’s niece.

I have a General Expenditure Allowance which converts to approximately £3,000 per month.  This allowances covers the following:

• Office expenses and running costs, such as rent, insurance, heating and electricity and other related charges
• Cost of office equipment, lap tops, software, printers, fax machine, office furniture etc
• Postage
• Telephone, fax and broadband charges
• Purchase of office supplies and materials
• Purchase of books and periodicals
• Subsistence
• Taxis
• UK Accommodation
• Non Party Political Material
• Press Liaison
• Civic Liaison
• MEP mobile telephone

All receipts are kept and annually reported that Parliamentary Rules are being observed by Independent Accountants.

Incidentally the European Parliament’s Accounts have not been signed off since 1995!