The Telegraph returns to the familiar ground of how recalcitrant MPs continue to screw the taxpayer. According to the paper, a number are letting out former second homes that have been renovated at public expense. New rules introduced in the wake of the expenses scandal were supposed to crack down on the ability of MPs gaining financially from property deals but things appear just as lucrative for those who know the system.
Ever since Commons watchdogs announced that they would block future claims for mortgage costs and claw back a proportion of the profits made on subsidised properties, honourable members have been making their move, so to speak. Some of the names involved should come as no surprise.
Doubtlessly all involved will say they have done nothing wrong and doubtlessly the rules will change again.
4 Comments:
of course this latest scandal at westminster comes a week after members of the welsh assembly agreed a pay freeze for 4 years....there's no chance of such a principled and commendable move from the occupants of the westminster gravy train im sure....
Leigh Richards
I think Leigh should be careful of presenting AMs as paragons of virtue given the past adventures of iPod man and the trouser-press. Some might even ask if is it necessary for an AM to have a home in Pontardawe and in Cardiff Bay provided at public expense when they spend most of the time at their partner's home.
fair enough jimbo..and i of course wouldnt suggest AM's are beyond reproach on such matters...but any 'excesses' assembly members may have been guilty of..almost pale into insignificance when compared to the rampant abuse of the expenses system that was taking place at westminster...and indeed sadly still appears to be taking place if this report is anything to go by.
But it would be nice to see MPs follow the lead given by members of the welsh assembly in these hard economic times and agree to something along similar lines in terms of their pay awards....but on past evidence i wouldnt hold my breath.
Leigh Richards
Its all quite relative isn't it. Why should politicians claim any travel allowance? When I was a kid I there where teachers in my school who lived more than 30 miles away and they did not or claim a travel allowance. excuse my ignorance but lets name names. Who claims for a home in Cardiff Bay but lives with a partner most of the time?
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