A Labour minister has used taxpayers' money to establish a personal podcast studio within his parliamentary office, an investigation has revealed.
Details of the Taxpayer-Funded Purchases
Chris McDonald, the Minister for Industry, utilised the Parliamentary expenses system administered by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to acquire professional-grade recording equipment. Receipts obtained show that in January last year, he purchased a compact wireless microphone system for £294 from Amazon.
Further acquisitions followed in March, including a studio microphone for £59, a microphone cable for £25, two adjustable microphone arms costing £45, and a set of wooden acoustic panels priced at £141. The total cost for this audio equipment was approximately £500. The distinctive wooden panels are visible in the background of his podcast videos.
Additional Claims and Low Audience Figures
Separately, Mr McDonald also claimed £700 for two cameras—a waterproof model and an 'action camera'—and more than £1,200 for a boardroom table for his constituency office. He stated these items were for constituency work and not used for the podcast.
His podcast, titled 'Full Steam Ahead' in reference to Stockton's railway heritage, appears to have a limited reach. YouTube viewing figures show the first episode was watched 266 times, the second by 99 people, and a Christmas special garnered just 29 views. Engagement on social media platforms was also minimal.
Criticism and Defence
The spending has drawn sharp criticism from fiscal watchdog groups. Joanna Marchong, of the Adam Smith Institute, condemned the move, stating: "It's absolutely extraordinary that taxpayers are kitting out and bankrolling ministers to push their own personal egotistical agendas." She argued that MPs' office budgets should not cover personal projects that offer taxpayers little beyond "mild entertainment."
In his defence, Mr McDonald, the MP for Stockton North, insisted all purchases were within IPSA rules and represented value for money. He stated the podcast is a "community-facing platform" designed to give local voices a space to share their stories, arguing it engages people who do not consume politics through traditional channels. He emphasised the podcast has no commercial backing or personal income.
Regarding the table, he highlighted it was commissioned from a long-established Stockton furniture maker, supporting a local business.
The Broader Implications
This revelation raises ongoing questions about the appropriate use of parliamentary expenses and the line between constituency work and personal political branding. While equipment may be purchased within the rules, the ethical justification for using public funds for content with demonstrably low public engagement is likely to remain a point of contention, especially amidst broader concerns about fiscal responsibility.
