During Politics Live on BBC1’s budget day coverage, I witnessed Labour MP John McDonnell cavil over the likely cost of a ‘hoodie’, that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had once worn.

In August 2020, a certain Labour MP grouched about an expensive travel mug.

A mug Rishi Sunak’s wife had purchased, with her own money, as a birthday present for him.

This week, the same Labour MP - the one who was the first MP to wear ‘beetle crushers’ at the despatch box, during PMQs– claimed £249 for a pair of ‘personalised AirPods’ on expenses.

Shortly after the first pair, she claimed for another ‘personalised’ pair at £249, again on expenses?

How much one pays for a mug, should obviously reflect one’s financial circumstances.

My ‘I Luv Rishi Sunak mug’ only cost £9.99, from a well known online market site.

Personally, I’d be quite content with a cheap pair of ear plugs to listen to the radio, as I commute in my Trabant – if it had a radio.

For the record MP Jacob Rees-Mogg does not claim a penny in expenses.

Gideon Digby,

Llanymynech