MP lives on fiver a day for living simply experiment

A Leicestershire MP has survived the first few weeks of the political year on just £5 a day as part of an Evangelical Alliance initiative challenging people to live on the same amount of money as people on benefits.

Andy Reed, Labour MP for Loughborough, is taking part in the Simplify initiative after using the parliamentary recess to conduct a “life audit” on how he spends his time and money.

He aims to adopt a lifestyle that is more environmentally sustainable, healthy and generous. He plans to donate the money he saves as a result of living more simply in October to charity.

“If the financial crisis has taught us anything, it’s that we have to learn to consume less,” said Mr Reed, who is secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics.

“When a recession hits and we face losing our jobs – a prospect that could be a reality for any MP as the election approaches – it’s good to re-evaluate what is really important.

“We can’t rely on politicians to save our planet, so I am planning on taking personal responsibility for my own lifestyle. If we are going to make a change it has to come from every individual in the UK, not just parliament.”