In March 2009, Labour minister Tony McNulty (then Minister for London, Minister for Employment and MP for Harrow East) admitted claiming expenses on a second home, occupied by his parents, which was eight miles away from his primary residence, after details appeared in the Mail on Sunday.

He asserted that the claim was appropriate, but ceased claiming the allowances. In an article headlined "Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat", The Spectator on 26 March 2009 contrasted the statements made by McNulty regarding benefit cheats with his own claims for expenses.

He resigned during the Cabinet reshuffle of 5 June 2009.