ITEMS in former health secretary Alan Milburn’s claim file include new tables, chairs and a four-metre square rug for his second home in the capital.

The Labour MP for Darlington was also reimbursed £1,565.25 when he redecorated the property in February last year. He said he opened his files to scrutiny to allow members of the public to “draw their own judgements”.

The records show that Mr Milburn claimed £54,232.63 in mortgage interest payments for the house between April 2004 and April last year, and £7,932.39 for service charges.

All of the claims were within the rules governing parliamentary expenses, and were claimed under the additional costs allowance scheme.

Mr Milburn was also paid £9,350 to cover food costs over the period.

Furnishings for the home include six white dining chairs, for which he claimed £565 of the total £714 cost. A table and bench designed by MDF Italia cost £1,009, and a coffee table and a beige rug cost £570.

Other items claimed include £139 for a vacuum cleaner, £121 for shelving, a DVD player for £24.97 and a clock for £24. Costs for redecorating the property amounted to £1,565,25. Receipts provided with the claim show paint costs of £75.45 and labour costs of £1,400.

Mr Milburn said that he volunteered to release his records early to allow members of the public to see what he had claimed for.

“We need transparency, which is why I am publishing this information,” he said.

“People can draw their own judgements from it. I am publishing these things to make it clear that people like me have got nothing to hide.

“It is public money. The people of Darlington, and elsewhere, have a right to see how my allowances have been spent.

“Everyone recognises there is a need for radical reform – we have got to make some quite fundamental changes.

There is understandable public anger if people abuse the system. People are quite justified to be very angry.”

April 1 2004 to March 31, 2008

Mortgage: £54,232.63.
Service and maintenance: £7,932.39.
Food: £9,350.
Other (including furniture): £2,542.44.