Jonathan Brash MP Claims £549.58 in Dependant Rail Travel – Plus Thousands More in Staffing Costs, Hotels, Rail Fares & Expenses

Jonathan Brash’s Expenses Claims Unpacked: Staff Payroll, Hotels, Rail Travel and Family Rail Claims.

28th November 2025

Labour MP for Hartlepool, Jonathan Brash, has claimed back £549.58 on parliamentary expenses for dependent rail travel, sparking questions as to whether this should have been paid for out of his own pocket.

Whilst permitted Under IPSA rules, MPs may claim travel expenses for registered dependant's such as spouses, partners or children when travelling between the constituency and Westminster. The aim is to support MPs who split work between London and their home area, allowing them to maintain family life while serving in Parliament.

Brash’s dependant travel claim falls within this category — but forms only a small part of his wider expenses which are gaining significant attention.

Additional Expenses Charged to the Public Purse

In addition to dependent rail travel, Labour MP Jonathan Brash has also claimed back:

Expense Type	Amount Claimed
Dependant Travel – Rail	£549.58
Staff Training	£570.60
Parking	£66.00
Staff Travel (Total)	£4,620.27
┗ Hotels	£3,246.37
┗ Rail Fares	£1,373.90

This means Brash has claimed £5,800+ in transport, hotels, parking and training, on top of the dependant travel reimbursement.

Hartlepool Labour Councillor Martin Dunbar is listed as one of Mr Brash's caseworkers & said to be a significant recipient of the Tax payer funds.

But the largest cost of all is found in staffing, with Mr Brash's staffing costs for 2024 - 2025 costing the public purse £114,030.10, with the Teesside & Durham Post understanding that Labour Councillor for Hartlepool's Foggy Furze Ward Martin Dunbar is listed as one of Mr Brash's caseworkers whilst juggling his role as a town councillor.

Whilst the sum reportedly covers salaries for parliamentary staff, researchers, office caseworkers and administrative support. It is standard for MPs to employ several full-time and part-time staff to manage constituency queries, represent local issues in Westminster and handle correspondence. However, the scale of spending remains significant, especially when its funded entirely by the taxpayer.

When combined with travel, hotels, staff expenses and dependant rail costs, Brash’s total publicly-funded bill rises considerably.

Legitimate Under IPSA — But Are Constituents Seeing Value in the towns MP ?

Claiming back £66 pounds in Parking will always not go down well with locals, who seen their own local parking fees in Hartlepool's town centre increase

Nothing in these figures breaches parliamentary rules. The IPSA framework exists so MPs can operate effectively — but legality does not always shield MP's spending from public scrutiny, especially during a period of rising household costs, reduced public services and increasing pressure on ordinary families, with supporters of Mr Brash arguing that staffing costs enable an MP’s office to function and respond to residents, with travel and hotels 'unavoidable' for a northern MP working between London and Hartlepool. With Dependants’ travel allowances preventing family separation due to parliamentary duties.

Critics, however, are likely to ask whether £114,000 in staffing salaries is 'excessive' in a town already struggling with the cost of living & the burden then placed on the shoulders of already struggling tax payers, with Nearly £3,250 in hotel stays always going to raise eyebrows amongst locals, especially when its compounded with more than £1,370 in rail fares, £570 in training, £66 pounds claimed back in parking, And £549.58 in dependant travel…

Hartlepool Is Paying Attention

Jonathan Brash won his seat promising representation, honesty and accountability. As these expense figures grow, voters will inevitably ask whether their money is being used responsibly — and whether they are receiving value in return.

Whether the costs seem justified or excessive will be for the people of Hartlepool to decide.