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Speaker speeds up expenses review Speaker speeds up expenses review
(30 minutes later)
A review of MPs' expenses led by Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to be completed by July - months earlier than was previously planned. A review of MPs' expenses led by Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to be completed by July - several months earlier than previously planned.
The Commons Members Estimate Committee said it would now publish its findings before Parliament rises for the summer. The Commons Members Estimate Committee said it would publish its findings before Parliament rises for the summer.
This follows pressure on Mr Martin, who had promised to report by autumn. This comes a day after the review was accused of doing "damage" to the House of Commons' image by taking too long.
The committee said, as "a first step", it had agreed that the £250 threshold for MPs submitting expenses claims without a receipt should be reduced. The committee also said the £250 limit for MPs submitting expenses claims without receipt would be cut.
This will happen from the start of the next financial year in April, it added. Described as a "first step", this will happen from the start of the next financial year in April, with the new maximum expected to be about £50.
The new maximum amount MPs will be able to claim without a receipt is expected to be about £50. The expenses inquiry's publication will now coincide with another on MPs' pay, also scheduled for July.
'Greater urgency' 'Rebuild confidence'
The expenses inquiry will now coincide with another on MPs' pay, which is also scheduled to report in July. Mr Martin set up the estimate committee's review following revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had made payments worth £40,000 to his son for work as a parliamentary researcher while he was a student.
The estimate committee's review was set up following revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had made payments worth £40,000 to his son for work as a parliamentary researcher while he was a student. In a statement, the committee said: "We will complete a report in time for debate in the House in July. All decisions will be made by the House itself."
It added: "We are conscious of the need to establish a structure which will endure and will rebuild confidence."
SPEAKER'S DUTIES Keep order during debatesEnsure House rules obeyedAct impartiallyRepresents CommonsChooses MPs to speakCan suspend sittingsProtects interests of minorities
Raising a point of order in the Commons on Monday, David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, asked the Speaker: "Would it be possible for the review to have greater urgency and not wait until the autumn [for the findings]?"Raising a point of order in the Commons on Monday, David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, asked the Speaker: "Would it be possible for the review to have greater urgency and not wait until the autumn [for the findings]?"
He added that recent expenses stories such as those involving Mr Conway had done "damage to the reputation of the House".He added that recent expenses stories such as those involving Mr Conway had done "damage to the reputation of the House".
Mr Martin replied that he would remain in charge of a review of MPs' allowances "until this House decides otherwise".Mr Martin replied that he would remain in charge of a review of MPs' allowances "until this House decides otherwise".
He insisted: "And that is a good thing for the reputation of this House."He insisted: "And that is a good thing for the reputation of this House."
Air miles
In the past two weeks Mr Martin, MP for Glasgow North East, has faced scrutiny over his own use of expenses and allowances.In the past two weeks Mr Martin, MP for Glasgow North East, has faced scrutiny over his own use of expenses and allowances.
These include flying members of his family using air miles gained from official trips.These include flying members of his family using air miles gained from official trips.
The Sunday Times also reported that he had claimed £17,000 a year for his home in Scotland and £7,500 in costs for using that home as an office. These figures had been publicly declared already and there is no suggestion Mr Martin used his allowance incorrectly.The Sunday Times also reported that he had claimed £17,000 a year for his home in Scotland and £7,500 in costs for using that home as an office. These figures had been publicly declared already and there is no suggestion Mr Martin used his allowance incorrectly.
Mr Martin's spokesman, Mike Granatt, resigned last week after he wrongly rebutted some parts of a story that the Speaker's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004.Mr Martin's spokesman, Mike Granatt, resigned last week after he wrongly rebutted some parts of a story that the Speaker's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004.
Mr Granatt said Mr Martin had not been at fault over the misinformation, and instead blamed officials for not telling him the entire truth.Mr Granatt said Mr Martin had not been at fault over the misinformation, and instead blamed officials for not telling him the entire truth.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Martin had been a "very, very good" Speaker.
Conservative leader David Cameron said "speculation" over his future was not helpful, adding that Parliament had to show more "transparency".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Mr Martin was "fully committed" to reforming expenses and allowances.